Sunday Life can reveal the council spent £30,000 replacing pumps and water filters at the spa at Avoniel Leisure Centre last month after tests discovered levels for legionella were above recommended levels.

The council immediately closed the spa before staff, dressed in full biological NBC suits, drained and disinfected the pool.

Concerned staff at the popular leisure centre told how rumours of a legionnaire's outbreak at the facility had spread.

Said one staff member: "Nobody knew what was going on when they saw the guys coming into the centre in their protective suits.

"Everyone was saying the disease was airborne, but the bosses then told us that there was no need to panic.

A spokeswoman for Belfast City Council confirmed improvements had been made at the east Belfast leisure centre.

Added the spokeswoman: "Belfast City Council carries out frequent and regular checks to ensure the quality of water in our swimming pools and spas is of the highest quality.

"Several weeks ago the results of our routine tests at the spa in Avoniel showed that the levels for legionella were above the recommended level, so we took the appropriate action and closed the spa.

"We would stress that at no point was any member of the public at risk nor was there any need for concern about the water quality in the swimming pool."