EMPLOYEES at a Worcester-shire firm spent Christmas worrying about their health after a strain of the deadly bacteria Legionella was found at their workplace.

A cooling tower at the printing firm Polestar Varnicoat in Pershore tested positive just over a week ago, sparking concern among 500 workers that they could contract the lung infection, Legionnaires' disease.

Several people went for tests over the holiday period but so far no one has caught the illness, which causes nausea, headaches, chest pains, shortness of breath, and can be fatal.

Although technically, people could still catch it - the disease has an incubation period of up to 10 days - doctors have said they are confident everyone has escaped unharmed.

Dr Alan Tweddell, of the Health Protection Agency, said: "Several people did complain about feeling unwell, but I am pleased to say that none of them had Legionnaires' disease and they were suffering from normal winter viruses.

"I wouldn't expect to see any cases associated with this site now," Dr Tweddell said.

It is the second time in three years that Polestar has been found to have Legionella - one of the reasons, according to the company, that it was spotted so quickly this time.

Ian Gibson, managing director for the Terrace Road firm, said: "We did have a problem a few years ago and as a result we invested a lot of money into new cooling towers. We also check these three times more than required by law and it was because of this that we discovered this case.

"We are now treating the bacteria by flushing it with chemicals and are working with the Health And Safety Executive and Wychavon District Council."

That did little to appease staff, however, some of whom are still worried personal tests could still come back positive.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: "There are 500 employees at the company and not one letter was sent round - instead it was just pinned on a noticeboard for people to see.

"After the previous incident we were worried. I have a chest infection and am concerned something is wrong."

Samples from the cooling tower have been sent for analysis after clean-up efforts were carried out.