TRADERS in Hereford fear their businesses face huge financial losses as fewer shoppers have being visiting the city following the outbreak of the potential killer Legionnaire's disease.

Business proprietors fear the outbreak will have a catastrophic impact on their trade - especially in the normally busy run-up to Christmas.

Paul Dawson, spokesman for the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, urged residents in both counties not to stay away from Hereford.

"We have had feedback from our members saying people are reluctant to shop in Hereford," he said. "While we have every sympathy with people and understand their fears, it is frustrating for all these businesses which have had their premises checked for the bacterium of the disease and have had the all-clear."

The news comes after health officials warned there could be further cases of the disease diagnosed in the city following the discovery of Legionella bacterium at the Hereford cider-making giant, HP Bulmer Ltd, on Wednesday, November 12.

Because the disease has an incubation period of two to 14 days, more people could be diagnosed with the disease, which has already claimed the life of a pensioner and left 23 other people ill.

Mr Dawson added: "It is especially worrying that there could be more cases over the next few weeks. I think that is not helping people's fears."

But he backed officials' assurances that the city is perfectly safe to visit and urged customers not to stay away.

Andy Tector, Herefordshire Council's head of environmental health and trading standards said the three agencies involved with the outbreak are continuing to work closely together to bring it under control.

'We can understand people's concerns about visiting Hereford city," he said. "The rigorous testing, cleansing and ongoing re-testing means that we are confident that Hereford city centre is one of the safest places to visit."

A 24-hour hotline - 01785 231011 - has been set up which worried members of the public can ring for advice.