Rob and Taylor Green with Clare Davies and George Davies

Parents and dog owners are being warned to be on their guard after a potentially deadly toxic algae was discovered in streams and rivers. Marlborough District Council have issued an alert as the algae was spotted in some of the region’s waterways. The algae are present in parts of the Taylor, Omaka and Wairau rivers and even a 50 cent size piece can be fatal. Council staff have placed warning signs at some of the river access points but say it could be in other areas too. A spokeswoman says dogs are most at risk and need to see a vet urgently if they eat the musty smelling water weed. “If the river bed is covered in thick brown or black mats that have a velvety texture and an earthy or musty smell, it is wise to be cautious and avoid that area. Algae mats can also float at the river's edge or in shallow water, or attach to rocks in fast-flowing parts of a river. “While there have been no reports of dog deaths from algae in Marlborough, there have been cases in the Nelson-Tasman region.” In humans, contact with toxic algae causes vomiting, diarrhoea and skin irritation.

“It is important to keep children away and avoid touching it or swimming near it,” the spokeswoman says. The recent hot weather has seen a growth spurt in algae which thrive in warmer conditions. Dogs are attracted to the smell and the noxious plant can cause muscle twitching, convulsions and paralysis. In extreme cases, death can occur within 30 minutes after the first symptoms are noticeable. You can find out more about toxic algae, including information on how to identify it, on the council’s website: www.marlborough.govt.nz/ recreation/swimming-andboating/toxic-algae Dogs can die within 30 minutes of eating toxic algae. Photo: Supplied

Inversion therapy

The Inversion NZ Blenheim Expo takes place on Saturday from 10am to 4pm at Redwood Community Hall on Weld Street in Redwoodtown. “People can come along and try inversion therapy for themselves,” says owner Dave Hare. “They can also watch other people getting treated and see their reactions as they get off a table. People often say things like, ‘gosh it feels so good to be pain free, I haven’t felt like this for years!’” Dave says he suffered from back pain for 20 years and paid thousands of dollars for different treatments to no avail, but then he tried the inversion table and was amazed by the results. “I was in Singapore when I bought my table, but I didn’t buy it to fix my back because I was told it was unfixable, so I bought one and within three months I was totally pain free! That’s the average result for all 15,000 people who have them in New Zealand.” For more information, visit www. inversionnz.co.nz. trial in Blenheim

Road Patrollers at St Mary’s School in Blenheim were put through their paces by Constable Josh Reidie on Friday. Pupils took it in turns to practice their road safety drill. A new group of patrollers have volunteered their services to help keep their friends and other road users safe. Photo: Supplied.