Signs have been put up at Lochore Meadows Country Park advising people not to go into the water.

Fife Coast and Countryside Trust took the decision following reports of people developing a skin rash after paddling in the loch.

The notices warn of 'swimmer's itch', also known as cercarial dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction caused by tiny bugs in the water.

Ali Dreyer, outdoor learning manager at the park, said: "Signs have gone up today informing that we have had reports of people coming out of the water with a rash and explaining why this has happened.

"They advise people not to swim because there's a much higher risk of getting swimmer's itch.

"We have a lot of ducks and swans here and there is a little bug that hosts on these birds.

"When the weather is particularly warm these bugs survive in the water and if people are paddling or in shallow water they can come into contact with them.

"If people spend any length of time in the water they can get affected by the bug and come out in a rash that looks like chicken pox.

"It's not dangerous to humans but it is irritating."

It has nothing to do with water quality and is highly unlikely to affect the ERC Triathlon Festival, which is due to take place at Lochore Meadows next month.

Part of the contest,which is open to children and adults, includes a swim in the loch.

Staff became aware of the issue yesterday and, after speaking with the park management, decided to put up the signs.

Mr Dreyer said: "It's a number of years since we last had to put these signs out.

"There isn't really anything we can do about it. When the weather gets cooler, the bugs will die off."

He continued: "I look after the watersports centre and we'll inform people there too, but the canoeing for example is in deeper water and they wear wetsuits so they're much less likely to be affected.

"I will be speaking to the organisers of the triathlon anyway so we'll make them aware of this, but the chances of the event being affected are minimal.

"They would also be wearing wetsuits and would be in and out of the shallow water very quickly."

The microscopic parasites that cause swimmer's itch are released from infected snails who swim in fresh and salt water.

The bugs normally only infect birds and quickly die when they burrow into human skin.

Cool compresses, anti-itch preparations, calamine lotion and corticosteroid cream can help, while doctors warn that scratching may cause the rash to become infected.

Mr Dreyer also said: "We do try to discourage people from feeding the birds as, if they were feeding more naturally, it would help reduce the proliferation of the bugs."