GPs across Bradford were today bracing themselves for a flood of calls after the bacteria which causes Legionnaires' Disease was discovered at Shipley swimming pool.

Staff at the Westcliffe Medical Centre, Shipley, received calls from anxious patients immediately after Bradford Council revealed that the Legionella bacteria had been found.

It comes amid an outbreak of the disease in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, caused by a faulty air conditioning unit, where three people have died and there are 125 other confirmed cases.

Susan Tear, practice manager at the Westcliffe Road surgery, said people were anxious but urged them to remain calm.

"People were calling us with stomach problems and others were asking for blood tests but we must stress that Legionnaires' Disease is very difficult to catch," she said.

Mrs Tear said staff were prepared for "an extremely busy day" but urged people who had any queries to ring for advice before making an appointment.

The bacteria was found in a closed reserve water tank which supplies showers, toilets and washbasins at the pool in Alexandra Road.

The pool has about 3,500 visitors a week during the summer and is Bradford's biggest swimming instruction venue.

Dr Gavin Craig, of Westcliffe Medical Centre, said every GP in the district was on alert and given detailed information about the symptoms of the illness.

"Hot on the heels of Barrow we can see why people will be frightened and anxious," he said.

"But we must stress that Legionnaires' Disease can't be spread in the air or from person to person.

"There will be a lot of anxiety and, of course, if there are people who have flu-like symptoms, headaches, a dry cough and have been to the pool recently then we will be concerned.

"But the risk of anyone contracting the disease is small and I would urge people to telephone for advice and to be sensible about this."

It emerged today that the test of the water tank took place on August 6 but the results were not known until two days ago prompting the decision to immediately close the pool.

Many worried swimmers also rang Bradford Council yesterday and were referred to NHS Direct helpline on 0845 4647 for medical advice.

Large numbers of people wanted to know when the pool would be back in use.

But the Council has decided not to re-open it until Monday or Tuesday.

Officers met the Health and Safety Executive yesterday afternoon to discuss the contamination.

Jane Glaister, director of arts, heritage and leisure said: "They left the decision to us and we are waiting until we get the results from the laboratory on the main tank which would mean Monday or Tuesday. Neither tank feeds into the swimming pool."

The Council's chief executive Ian Stewart said pigeons were often the main cause of the bacteria and it was more common abroad.

He added the problem was caused by air borne spores.

"You can stagnant water with air passing through which becomes infected. This is not a panic measure but we are being careful."

Shipley pool was re-opened in January in a blaze of publicity after a long-awaited £600,000 revamp - which included new changing facilities and showers.