Hearings begin into bug outbreak

The outbreak was traced to an air-conditioning unit at Forum 28

The first of two public hearings into a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in 2002 in which seven people died is being held at Barrow in Cumbria.

The source was traced to the town's Forum 28 centre and the borough council and an official were later fined for breaching Health and Safety rules.

The public meetings will identify lessons learned and allow families and other affected to express concerns.

The Health and Safety Executive will publish a report next year.

The purpose is to provide an opportunity for the families of those who died ... to learn about the circumstances and the causes of the outbreak. Colin Pickthall, chairman of the hearings

Although not a full public inquiry, the hearings will contribute to a final Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report on the tragedy.

Almost 200 people were also made ill during the outbreak in August 2002.

Colin Pickthall, an Ulverston resident who was MP for West Lancashire between 1992 and 2005, will independently chair both events on 4 and 11 December.

Mr Pickthall said: "I hope the hearings can help the people of Barrow gain a thorough understanding of the tragedy that struck the town in 2002, providing an opportunity to answer people's questions and to hear their concerns.

"The purpose is to provide an opportunity for members of the public, especially the families of those who died, the people who suffered illness and the wider community of Barrow, to learn about the circumstances and the causes of the outbreak. "

Barrow Borough Council pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act, and was fined £125,000 at Preston Crown in July 2006.

Their employee Gillian Beckingham was convicted under Section 7 of the Act, and fined £15,000 on the same date.

Both the council and Mrs Beckingham were found not guilty of manslaughter.