THE Legionella bacteria has been found in the water supply at Worcester's Newtown Hospital - but health bosses say there is no threat to human health.

The bug was discovered in the East Wing of the Elgar Mental Health Unit during routine testing after refurbishment of the wards.

"Prior to each wing being brought back into use, routine testing of the individual water supply systems is undertaken to ensure the water quality is satisfactory," said a hospital spokesperson.

"Testing on East Wing, which is not due to come back into use until the end of July, has detected Legionella bacteria that is of a different strain to the one which causes human disease.

"Legionella bacteria is made up of a number of strains. The strains identified in the samples taken from the Elgar Unit are not those normally associated with Legionnaires Disease."

However, the hospital is following national guidelines to reduce the level of bacteria. Two sets of tests on the water supply to the West Wing at the Elgar Unit have both proved negative.

Dr Ian McPherson, director of Mental Health Services, and Dr Claire Constantine, consultant microbiologist, say they are satisfied that patients and staff are not at risk from the bug.