AN investigation into what was suspected to be pollution at a Tynedale nature reserve has concluded the substance found was a natural algae.

The Environment Agency received a report from the Northumberland Wildlife Trust of an oily substance in the water at Priestclose Wood, in Prudhoe, last month.

The trust was concerned that a pollution incident could harm the diverse range of species which lived in the pond.

But an Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We opened an investigation into reports of potential pollution in the waters at Priestclose Nature Reserve in Prudhoe after a call was made to our incident hotline.

“A sample of the water was taken and analysed by a leading expert with the results confirming the oily substance was a harmless natural golden brown algae.”