A SPECIALIST firm has been called in to survey the water system at a leisure centre following the discovery of potentially deadly Legionella bacteria.

Walton on the Naze Lifestyles has been shut since Friday and will remain closed until the issue is resolved.

The specialist firm was commissioned yesterday following a meeting between council officials, the Health and Safety Executive, Public Health England as well as contractors involved with a recent refurbishment.

Tendring Council, which runs the gym, thanked their customers for their patience and said pre-paying customers are to be compensated for any financial loss.

Lynda McWilliams, councillor responsible for leisure, said the various possible sources for the Legionella were discussed and an action plan was now being put together.

She said: “The firm we have brought in expect to carry out the survey and report back their findings by the end of the week.

“The council will then undertake any work and changes to procedures recommended by the specialists.

“The aim is to reopen the site as soon as is practicably possible but only when we are 100 per cent satisfied everything has been resolved.”

The council was informed last month by Public Health England a customer had been admitted to Colchester General Hospital with Legionnaires Disease.

He has since been discharged and is recovering.

Samples were taken from a shower area in the fitness suite.

The showers were closed and the samples were analysed and proved positive for Legionella.