A swimming pool has been closed after the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease was discovered in a water tank.

Shipley Pool in Shipley, near Bradford, West Yorkshire was closed as a "precautionary measure" because of the theoretical risk of infection.

Health experts have said the risk to the public is likely to be low.

The discovery follows the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Cumbria, which has claimed the lives of three people.

The low risk is only associated with the washing facilities

Dr Ruth Gelletlie, Communicable Disease Control

David Kennedy, assistant chief executive of Bradford council, said the bacteria was found on Tuesday.

"During a programme of risk assessment of water tanks at Bradford Council's sports centres and swimming pools there was concern about the quality of the water in a tank in the roof at Shipley Pool," he said.

"Laboratory analysis of a water sample revealed evidence of Legionella bacteria and the building was immediately closed to the public."

GPs alerted

The closed tank, which is in a roof void, supplies water to the showers at the centre and is not connected to the main swimming pool, which has not been affected.

Dr Ruth Gelletlie, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, said: "There is a theoretical risk of Legionella infection from this sort of situation, but no cases have been reported to my department.

"Local GPs are being alerted to the situation. The low risk is only associated with the washing facilities and the infection cannot be passed from person to person."

She confirmed there are no air conditioning units at the pool and no passers-by have been affected.

Drain system

It is thought a contaminated air conditioning unit caused the Legionnaire's outbreak in Barrow-in-Furness.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and specialist contractors have been called in to drain and disinfect the water system.

The pool will not be re-opened until further tests have been carried out and the building is declared completely safe, health bosses said.

No other council sports centre or swimming pool has given cause for concern in the area.