The Legionella bug is a rare form of pneumonia

The Woodhouse Close centre, in Bishop Auckland, and Spectrum leisure centre in Willington, Crook, are owned by Wear Valley District Council.

A spokesman for the authority said the situation emerged during routine maintenance of water systems.

The spokesman added that there had been no threat to the public.

A council spokesman said: "Routine maintenance on the water systems at Woodhouse Close and Spectrum leisure complexes returned water samples that displayed evidence of Legionella bacteria in one isolated part of their hot water systems.

"As a result, the complexes were temporarily closed to the public to allow the systems to be flushed and sanitised.

Prompt action

"Remedial action has been taken in line with government and Health and Safety Executive guidelines.

"As a result the domestic hot water system has now been fully drained down and sanitised."

Independent health and safety consultant John Thompson, who is retained by the council, added: "The council is complying with all of the relevant codes of practice for dealing with water hygiene systems.

"Continued compliance will ensure that there will be no risk to the public."

The council had hoped to reopen the Woodhouse Close complex on Friday, but it and the Spectrum centre will now remain closed for a longer period as a safety precaution.

The Health Protection Agency has issued a letter of guidance to all GPs in the Wear Valley which says the council took prompt and appropriate action according to national guidelines and there is not considered to have been any risk to public health.