A strain of Legionella has been discovered at the home of the Health and Safety Executive in Kent.

The South East England Development Agency - which has an office there - revealed the virus was found in a water system at Ashford's International House last month.

Fortunately it was not legionella pneumophila which causes Legionnaires Disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which can affect anybody.

A spokesman for the Ashford Borough Council said no illnesses were linked to the building based in Dover Place.

The systems have since been chlorinated and further works undertaken by the building's management to ensure the strain of the bacteria is no longer present

International House is also the base for employees of Ashford's Future and the South East England Development Agency.