Shipley swimming Pool was shut today after the bacteria which causes Legionnaire's Disease was discovered in a water tank.

It comes amid an outbreak of the disease in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, where three people have died and there are 125 other confirmed cases.

Doctors throughout the district have been put on alert and the public is being offered information about the symptoms and illness, although Bradford Council and health chiefs say the risk is likely to be low.

The pool has 3,500 visitors a week during the summer and is Bradford main centre for swimming lessons. It was re-opened in January following a £600,000 refurbishment.

The Council stressed today that the discovery of the Legionella bacteria was not connected with the Cumbria cases, which were caused by a faulty air conditioning unit, and the pool had been closed as a precaution.

Today Dr Ruth Gelletlie, the district's consultant in communicable disease control, said: "There is a theoretical risk of Legionella 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. There are no air conditioning units at Shipley pool and there has been no risk to passers by.

"On average less than 200 cases of Legionnaire's Disease are reported nationally each year of which half are acquired abroad by holiday makers. Of those acquired in Britain only about ten are associated with showers."

But she said it was important for people to be aware of the flue-like symptoms of illness, high fever, worsening dry cough, headache and headache progressing to pneumonia.

She added that the infection usually developed within ten days of exposure to the bacteria.

The bacteria was found during a routine inspection in a closed water tank.

David Kennedy, the Council's assistant chief executive, said: "The closed tank in the roof void supplies water to showers, toilets and washbasins. The water in the swimming pool is completely unaffected."

The tank is used as a reserve for the main tank during busy times and it was last inspected in December as part of a major refurbishment.

Jane Glaister, the Council's Director of Arts, Heritage and Leisure, said the main tank had been tested last month but there was no evidence of the bacteria in the main tank.

She added: "We would have expected to see it at that time if it was affected."

Mr Kennedy said: "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.

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

The Council's chief executive Ian Stewart said: "We have acted as a responsible authority following the situation in Cumbria. Public health experts have said that the risk to the public is likely to be low."

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

The Council says the pool will not be reopened until further tests have been carried out and the building is declared safe.

Officers said no other sports centre or swimming pool had given cause for concern.

Today people arriving at the pool reacted with shock at news of the discovery.

Thomas Mark, who had planned to swim with his son Jacob, six, said: "It's awful news. You don't hear about this sort of thing very often and it makes you stop and think about how stringent checks are on public places."

Janine Ecclestone, 32, of Baildon, brought ten-year-old daughter Lucy and two of her friends.

"I can't believe it," said the nursery nurse.

"They're really disappointed but it has to be shut for safety reasons. I just hope they found it in time and that no-one has been affected."

People can obtain further information about the illness and symptoms from NHS Direct on 0845 4647.