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Fluorescent green river in west Belfast attributed to a non toxic dye used for testing

Park users were forced to do a double take yesterday after Colin Glen river in west Belfast turned fluorescent green. The colour was later attributed to a non toxi dye used by the Rivers Agency for testing
Park users were forced to do a double take yesterday after Colin Glen river in west Belfast turned fluorescent green. The colour was later attributed to a non toxi dye used by the Rivers Agency for testing Park users were forced to do a double take yesterday after Colin Glen river in west Belfast turned fluorescent green. The colour was later attributed to a non toxi dye used by the Rivers Agency for testing

WALKERS and ramblers through a popular wooded glen in west Belfast took to social media yesterday to query why Colin Glen river had turned fluorescent green.

With everything from aliens, to too much washing liquid and a bad case of the flu being offered as explanations for the strange colour, Facebook went into overdrive as social networkers came up with possible reasons for the "really weird" sight.

While some thought it was a trial for St Patrick's day, others attributed the green colour to "loads of fairy washing up liquid in there".

Others jokingly declared that the Incredible Hulk had taken "a pee".

Others likened the scene to something from a big name movie with suggestions including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Simpsons.

Other Facebookers rejoiced at the strange scene, with one writing: "how class does at look".

Another added: "It looks lethal...would still swim in it" while another added: "Should keep it like this!! Looks class!!"

However, the management of Colin Glen Forest Park later took to Facebook to shed some light on the strange episode.

In a statement, they said: "Over the past 24 hours a number of posts have reported a bright green run off at the Colin Glen river.

"We would like the public to be aware that this is a non toxic dye used by the Rivers Agency for testing. It's not slime, toxic waste, Fairy Liquid, a bad case of the flu, aliens, St Patrick's day trial, jelly or any other wonderful suggestion we seen lol.

"Thank you all for your concern and please do let us know if you see things in the park we should know about."