Swindon Services has been praised for its action plan to safeguard the public against Legionnaires' Disease.

In the last six weeks, five people have died and a further 100 have developed the disease following a number of outbreaks, most notably at Barrow-in-Furness, in Cumbria.

In response to this, Swindon Services has reviewed its existing practices at all council sites to ensure high safety standards are maintained in relation to their engineered water systems.

The council's Community, Culture and Recreation Commission approved the implementation of the code of practice, which includes strict guidelines on water storage and temperature, and maintenance of water systems.

Legionnaires' disease, also known as legionellosis, is a rare form of pneumonia.

It takes its name from the first known outbreak, which occurred in a hotel that was hosting a convention of the Pennsylvania Department of the American Legion in 1976.

Since then, cases have been reported across the world, and are often accompanied by mass panic.

The disease is fatal in around 10 per cent of cases.

The infection is thought to be caught through breathing, when tiny water droplets containing the bacteria enter the lungs.

The most common cause of the disease is contaminated air conditioning systems.