The Herefordshire Primary Care Trust said the latest victims, a man aged in his 40s and another aged in his 50s, were both in a stable condition.  The new cases bring the total number of people affected during the outbreak - which has claimed the life of a man in his 70s - to 26.

Health experts confirmed on Friday that samples taken from patients matched legionella found during tests on a cooling tower at the HP Bulmer site at Plough Lane, Hereford.  Dr Mike Deakin, Herefordshire's Director of Public Health, said: "We have been expecting to see new cases as the incubation period is up to 14 days.

"One of these cases was detected by a GP, the other following admission to hospital.

"The fact they have been detected reassures us the heightened state of awareness among local GPs and hospital staff is continuing."

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