Potentially deadly Legionella spores have been found in the water system at a Mid Sussex hospital.

The discovery was made at Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Haywards Heath after routine checks.

It comes less than three months after the bug - which can cause legionnaires' disease - was detected in the Villa Block, a mental health unit at the Princess Royal Hospital, which is on the same site.

The hot water system where the spores were found earlier this month is no longer used.

Patients have not been evacuated because the hospital has installed temporary heaters to use with the cold water system, which was not infected.

Richard Penney, communications director for Mid Sussex NHS Trust, said routine testing had detected a potential risk but he stressed there had been no further positive tests and no one had become ill.

Hurstwood Park is due to undergo major refurbishment in the New Year, when new water and electrical systems will be installed.

The new water system will be installed in early January and some patients will be transferred to the Princess Royal.

When spores were detected in Villa Block at the beginning of October, patients were temporarily moved out while a new £150,000 water system was put in. The work was completed on December 10.

Anyone worried about Legionella can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Most infections from Legionella are respiratory and although usually mild, a severe life-threatening form can sometimes develop.