The University of Greenwich is opening a burger bar serving immune-boosting algae burgers to combat the dreaded ‘freshers’ flu’.

Around 90 per cent of all new university students suffer the ailment in some form during the first few weeks of term, and many hours of lectures and study are lost while they recuperate.

When the Algae Burger Bar opens in September all first year students will be entitled and encouraged to claim one free algae burger a day.

The facility will operate within the new state-of-the-art Stockwell Street building, the new home for the university’s architecture and landscape department..

The building boasts the UK’s most innovative landscape roof, providing 14 different environments and ‘climates’, teaching and learning landscapes and living laboratories.

It’s from here that the algae will be harvested and then made into the tasty yet healthy burgers.

Algae is rich in important vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, and potassium. It contains nutrients with numerous proven health benefits, including reducing cholesterol, boosting immunity and improving heart health.

The university’s Dr Rachel Armstrong said: “Algae is eaten by many cultures around the world and we are looking forward to it becoming a staple among our community of students.

“We know students burn the candle at both ends when they arrive at university so we are going that extra mile to keep them healthy and able to enjoy everything that the student experience offers.

“The fact that the burgers will be made by our very own Greenwich algae makes it even more special – and I’m sure it will improve the taste!”