Family water attraction Aqua Park Suffolk has announced it will not open for the rest of its season this summer - but the park could potentially be open next year.

After an outbreak of potentially toxic blue-green algae on July 20, the park at Alton Water in Suffolk has closed for business this year for the safety of customers.

Now, after weeks of rolling closures, families and revellers have finally been told that they will not be safe to get back in the water before the end of their season on Sunday, 9 September.

The Alton Water sports centre remains open for all land-based activities and the tea room is also open for business.

All existing customer bookings are to be cancelled and refunded.

Richard Drinkwater, director for Aqua Park Suffolk, said:

“We are extremely disappointed that due to the ongoing warm weather, and despite our best efforts and investment in technological solutions, algal levels at Alton Water have not yet returned to safe levels.

“As a result, Aqua Park Suffolk will not reopen this season and we would like to apologise to our disappointed customers.

“Customer safety is our highest priority and we agree with Anglian Water’s decision to close Alton Water to the public.

“However, despite investing with us in ultrasound technology Anglian Water have been unable control the algal bloom at Alton Water this season.

“We would very much like to return next year, but as customer safety remains our highest priority, we will be reviewing Anglian Water’s proposals to provide a safe environment for our future customers attending Aqua Park Suffolk.

“Therefore, we will need assurance from Anglian Water that it is possible to control these algal blooms.

The aqua park have kept all their staff employed and thanked them for the support they have provided through their attempts to get the park up and running again.