TWO North-East leisure complexes at the centre of a health scare remained closed last night.

Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and the Spectrum Leisure Centre, in nearby Willington, were closed on Wednesday afternoon when the potentially-fatal legionnaires' disease bug was found in the hot water systems.

Evidence of the legionella bacteria, which can cause pneumonia-like legionnaire's disease, was detected in water samples during routine maintenance.

Wear Valley District Council, which runs the complexes, said the water systems at both the centres have been drained and sanitised.

They are awaiting written confirmation from an independent water hygiene contractor to say the systems are sealed and that the buildings will be safe to reopen.

It is anticipated that Woodhouse Close complex will re-open at 4pm today, but the Spectrum Centre will remain closed until the end of next week because plumbing work is being carried out to isolate affected areas.

Last night, the local health agency said: "The local authority has taken prompt and appropriate action according to national guidelines to ensure safety of the domestic water supply, and there is not considered to have been any risk to public health.

"There is no evidence at this time of associated illness as a result of these findings, and routine surveillance by this unit will continue."