Legionnaires man is 'improving'

Mr Douglas was part of the KOSB reunion party in Malaysia

A Hawick veteran hit by Legionnaires' disease after a KOSB reunion trip to Malaysia is recovering in hospital.

Tom Douglas, 69, was one of three members of the 115-strong party struck down - the other two are being treated in Malaysia and Australia.

Mr Douglas was more vulnerable to the infection because he underwent a heart transplant 20 years ago - the first Borders patient to do so.

He is currently being treated in Borders General Hospital.

His daughter, Sandra Cundy, said it looked like her father's condition was improving.

He is such a fighter and he has such a positive attitude and the hospital have been great Sandra Cundy Mr Douglas' daughter

"He did spend the weekend in intensive care where they thought they might have to ventilate him," she said.

"He has actually managed just on oxygen over the weekend.

"Today they are talking about moving him back into a main ward."

She added that Mr Douglas had remained upbeat about beating the disease.

"He is such a fighter and he has such a positive attitude and the hospital have been great," she said.

"I think it is still going to be a long battle but hopefully the worst is behind us."

Other members of the group have been advised to see a doctor if they start to feel unwell.