A textile worker in Bradford has been infected with the potentially deadly disease anthrax.

The case is the first to be diagnosed in Britain for five years.

The 35-year-old man, who has not been named, was found to have the illness on Wednesday and is being treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

It is believed he was infected through a cut while he worked at a Bradford factory, which has also not been identified.

The city's communicable disease specialist Dr Ruth Gelletlie - who said she had never seen a case of the disease - today said there was no risk to the general public.

She said: "As a precautionary measure, other workers at the factory have been alerted and told to be aware of the possible symptoms of anthrax and seek medical help if they are concerned as prompt diagnosis and early treatment are important."

She added that the illness could not be passed on by person-to-person contact and that it was unlikely that more cases would be discovered at this stage.

The man is now being treated with antibiotics and is expected to make a full recovery, said Dr Gelletlie.

Only four cases of anthrax were reported nationally between 1990 and 1998 and the last was in 1995.

The illness was once common in Britain among workers coming into contact with infected hides or wool fleeces. A century ago the disease was not uncommon among workers in Bradford's woollen textile industry.

Following the introduction of chemical treatment of hides and fleeces, which kills anthrax spores, it is now extremely rare in the country.

Such is the deadly nature of anthrax that it was investigated for use as a bacteriological weapon and concerns have been expressed that it could be used by terrorists.

All staff at the factory have received letters telling them to look out for signs of the rare illness.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors and Environmental Health officers are working with the owners of the premises to try to establish the cause.