THERE was a mixed reaction from the public yesterday (Wednesday) to news of the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Hereford.

As the number of confirmed cases continued to rise, shoppers and workers offered far-ranging views on the situation as they went about their daily business in a slightly muted High Town.

Sixty-five-year-old asthmatic Bob Broughton believed he was speaking for the large part of his generation when he labelled the authorities handling of the outbreak as a 'disgrace'.

"I am worried about the disease and particularly because it took five or six weeks for the authorities to inform the Hereford public," he said. "If this was to do with cattle, Hereford would have been cordoned off immediately."

Councillor John Newman was equally vocal in attacking the authorities for their delayed response.

"Someone's head should roll for this," he demanded. "If people had been told the truth at the beginning, we could have got rid of the problem far quicker."

Stayed away

Ludlow students Helen Boote and Sandip Maheem shared their concerns, and admitted some friends had purposely avoided visiting Hereford.

"Up in Ludlow a lot of people are talking about it and some, like my mum, do not want to come here," explained 17-year-old Helen.

"But I thought it mainly affected older people and if we just popped in and out of Hereford we would be fine," added fellow teenager Sandip.

Many people seemed unconcerned that Legionnaires' disease had arrived in the city.

Returning home after work in Church Street, Daniel Matthews said: "I have heard about people getting affected but I am not very worried and neither are my friends."

And Christian Lowe from Phones 4U was equally relaxed about the danger posed by legionella and believes his customers are too.

"I think it's only natural people are worried, but trade certainly has not suffered here," he said.

"In fact, Tuesday was our busiest day for a long time."