A technical manager responsible for the maintenance of an air conditioning unit at the centre of the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Cumbria has been suspended.

If it were established that in any way an employee for whom I am responsible had been negligent I will carry that burden with me to the grave

Council chief executive Tom Campbell

The council employee has been suspended on full pay to "minimise contact with other officers" while investigations take place.

Early tests showed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the air conditioning system at the arts centre Forum 28, but more than 130 sites across the city are also being investigated as a precaution.

The number of confirmed cases has risen to 47, with a further 15 suspected cases being dealt with. A total of 15 people are in intensive care - with four causing concern.

Three further cases have been identified in other parts of the country affecting people who had contacts with Barrow.

Cumbria Police spokesman Supt Ted Thwaites said police had seized Forum 28's maintenance records from the council.

Investigations continue

Police were considering all possibilities, including the suspicion of negligence and would be interviewing council workers, he said.

Tests results are awaited on further suspected cases

Further tests are due to be carried out at the council-run centre on Sunday afternoon by health authorities.

Dr Nick Gent, consultant in health protection for Lancashire and Cumbria, said that they were "hopeful" that they had identified the source of the outbreak which became apparent on Thursday afternoon.

Professor John Ashton, regional director of public health, said he was "cautiously optimistic" that a "plateau" in the number of cases had been reached.

Full co-operation

Earlier, the borough council's chief executive Tom Campbell said: "A man has died. If it were established that in any way that an employee for whom I am responsible had been negligent I will carry that burden with me to the grave.

Mr Campbell: Bears responsibility for his staff

The council was co-operating fully with the joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and police, he said.

Five council workers connected with Forum 28 or maintenance had been interviewed by the council.

In-house workers and outside contractors had dealt with the maintenance - but the council were now responsible.

The council will be seeking further legal advice on Monday.

Environmental health officers are continuing to check 132 other air conditioning units across the city, particularly four sites with similar water coolant systems to Forum 28.

Of those premises, officers have so far discounted 77.

'Monthly checks'

Mr Campbell said that there should normally be a monthly dousing of the 30-year-old air conditioning system and a check for bacteria as a minimum standard.

But Hugh Wolfson, occupational hygienist for the Health and Safety Executive, said checks should probably be made more frequently depending on the system in place.

For nearly a month the suspect air conditioning unit sprayed water droplets containing the bacterium into a alleyway used by shoppers to reach the town's bus stops.

It also appears the 89-year-old man who died may have been an isolated case.

He was a patient at a nursing home and was not in contact with Forum 28 in the last month.

Those worried they may have caught the disease are being urged to consult their local GP, call NHS Direct or to ring the hospital on 01229 491222.