AN investigation is under way after a North-East man contracted Legionnaires' disease.

Jimmy Harrison, from Hartlepool, was struck down with crippling flu-like symptoms just hours after finishing work, three weeks ago.

Within days of being diagnosed with a chest infection by his GP, the 44-year-old was rushed into hospital with severe breathing problems.

Mr Harrison has spent more than ten days in the University Hospital of Hartlepool's intensive care unit.

The case is now being investigated by experts from Hartlepool Borough Council, the Health and Safety Executive and Tees Health Authority.

A spokeswoman from Tees Health Authority said: "The disease has come from water somewhere but at the moment we don't know where.

"However, there is no danger of person to person spread of the sporadic case of infection."