A LEADING health expert has warned of a possible outbreak of a gastrointestinal disease in Blackpool this spring caused by a bug which can infect the region's water supply.

Professor John Ashton, director of public health in the North West, is calling for a public debate before a possible outbreak of the disease, cryptosporidiosis, which may be carried through water from Thirlmere reservoir in Cumbria.

The reservoir provides water to many parts of the area including the postcodes FY1 -- the town's central area, FY2 - Bispham and Norbreck, FY3 - Layton, Staining and Marton, FY5 - Thornton and Cleveleys, FY6 - Poulton-le-Fylde and FY7 - Fleetwood.

Records show hundreds of people become infected with the disease each spring.

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by the bug cryptosporidium, which is found in animal faeces, and can cause diarrhoea, headaches, fever, cramps, and nausea in humans for up to 15 days. For people with weakened immune systems, for example those with HIV or AIDS, the bug can be very serious.

Prof Ashton said the disease gets into the water system because rainwater runs off the hills carrying faecal contamination and leaks through into the water supply.

He said: "The privatised water companies claim to be doing everything they can to tackle the problem but here in the North West their expensive improvement programme will take up to four years to complete.

"In the meantime people will continue to become ill. We need to ask ourselves whether companies and public health professionals are doing their best."

John Carberry from North West Water played down Prof Ashton's claims saying: "Water is just one way cryptosporidium can be transmitted and you are ten times more likely to get food poisoning than get crypto through water contamination.

"However, waterborne outbreaks are of concern to us. We are spending £30 million on a special 'barrier' at Barnacre water treatment plant in Over Wyre which should completely remove any trace of cryptosporidium in water.

"A number of shorter-term measures have also been taken and we are continuously monitoring for cryptosporidium."

However, Mary Lyons, a lecturer in public health at Liverpool John Moore's University, said: "It's easier to find out about water quality in Sydney, Australia, than it is to find out about the quality of water coming from our own taps!" She said daily updates on cryptosporidium levels are published on a website, adding: "I urge North West Water to do the same."

An environmental health officer for Blackpool Borough Council said: "I think the public should feel reassured by North West Water's continuous monitoring. Blackpool's environmental services division also monitors cases of cryptosporidiosis to see if there is a potential outbreak. We would advise people not to be unduly concerned as we pay particular attention to the problem."

For more information on tap water quality in your area call 0845 7462200.