A BUG which can make vulnerable people seriously ill has been detected at a local water treatment works.

North West Water has reported the discovery at its Hoghton site to both South Ribble Borough Council and South Lancashire Health Authority.

But the water company says it is currently monitoring whether the cryptosporidium organism -- which has previously been linked to outbreaks of diarrhoea in the South Ribble area and other parts of the region -- will hit any more people.

NWW revealed the organism had also been found at its treatment works at Lostock and says it has been continuously monitoring the water supply for the organism since April.

The finds were made on June 6 and health experts met two days later to review the situation when it was decided not to advise people to take any action and that water could be used as normal.

Cryptosporidium causes diarrhoea and abdominal pain, which though not usually serious, can be prolonged.

Most people recover without treatment. However for some with lowered immunity it can be more serious.

These people should routinely boil their drinking water and water used for food preparation and brushing teeth.

The infection can be caught in several ways, including from drinking contaminated water and swimming pools.

Local health chiefs will monitor reports of illness very closely over the next few weeks.

North West Water has set up a telephone help line for questions or further advice about water supplies. It is 0845 7462200.

The advice to anyone who gets diarrhoea is to drink plenty of fluids and contact their GP for further help if necessary.