IT is business as usual at Bulmers with all staff turning up for work and cider being produced.

Even a small quantity of apples are being processed, though not down to the normal concentrated state.

General manager Willie Crawshaw said: "Our world famous cider is absolutely safe to drink and its quality has not been affected in any way."

This has been backed by Paul Nicholas, Herefordshire Council's environmental health manager who said the discovery of Legionella posed no risk to the safety of products manufactured by the company.

The season's apple campaign is now coming to an end and the production of cider has not been effected, said Mr Crawshaw.

But there had been some inconvenience to growers forced to hold on to their apples for a longer period.

"We would like to thank them for their co-operation in this difficult situation, and for their patience," he added.

Staff had been kept fully informed throughout and were encouraged to seek advice if they had any special concerns.

No employees had been named on the official list of those diagnosed to have Legionnaires' disease and all had reported for work.