A £450,000 initiative to explore solutions to tackle the blue-green algae crisis at Lough Neagh has been launched.

Environment minister Andrew Muir said he hoped solutions could also be applied in other areas affected by the noxious blooms.

In phase one of the Lough Neagh: Blue-Green Algae Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) five applicants will be selected to develop concepts to deal with the algae.

In phase two two to three concepts will be selected and developed as potential pilot solutions.