TWO new case of Legionnaire's disease have been confirmed in Hereford just days after Bulmers' factory was named as the official source of the outbreak.

One man in his 50s is said to be stable in hospital while a second, in his 40s, who is also in a stable condition, is being treated at home by his GP.

The total number of cases now stands at 26, with one pensioner having died and 25 other people taken ill during the outbreak.

On Friday tests revealed the type of legionella bacterium found at the cider-maker's Plough Lane site was "scientifically consistent" with samples taken from patients.

Dr Mike Deakin, Herefordshire's Director of Public Health, said new cases were to be expected because of the disease's two-week incubation period.

Bulmers has shut down the cooling tower where the bug was found.