The Imco tower was 'not properly cleaned'

Three people died after contracting the disease in Glastonbury, in September 1998, the inquest jury in Taunton was told.

Rita Spencer, 68, of Ashcot, Somerset, Michael Carroll, 72, of Street, and Virginia Wall, 76, of Glastonbury, had all visited the same B&Q garden centre next to the IMCO Plastics factory in the run up to their deaths.

Dr Nigel Long, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, told the hearing of an inspection carried out at IMCO Plastics five years ago.

I was concerned about the factory's cooling system and that it might be associated with legionella Dr Long

Dr Long told the inquest he went to Glastonbury in October 1998 after being informed of the Legionnaires' disease outbreak and viewed IMCO's cooling tower.

He told the jury: "I was concerned about the factory's cooling system and that it might be associated with legionella."

The inspector said the tower was not properly cleaned or disinfected, there were signs of algae and slime and the tower was heavily corroded.

He served an immediate prohibition notice for the tower to be shut and carried out tests.

'Deliberate omission'

Dr Long said wood "deflectors" at the top of the tower could harbour legionella, there were stagnant underground pipes found and the company had not complied with certain health and safety regulations.

And he said he was not told of a second cooling tower which he felt was a "deliberate omission".

He said this additional system was used intermittently and the water in it could have been heated from the sun, making it more of a breeding ground for the legionella bacteria.

The jury heard 12 people who visited west Glastonbury in September 1998 contracted the disease - eight made a full recovery, one is still disabled and three died.

The inquest continues.