Businesses reopening their offices as lockdown eases are being warned staff could face a new risk.

Hot and cold water systems left out of action for weeks could have proved breeding grounds for Legionnaires' Disease, a respiratory disease which could prove particularly deadly when people are already at risk of having been exposed to Coronavirus.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has published new guidelines warning that water safety levels must be checked before systems in reopening offices are used again.

The warning has been echoed by Slough borough councillor Natasa Pantelic, cabinet member for health and wellbeing.

She said: "Businesses in the borough must take heed of the government guidance before using hot and cold water systems again, as restrictions ease and they move to open.

"Water systems may have become stagnant over the last nine weeks, leading to bacteria forming which can lead to Legionnaires’ Disease, a life-threatening illness. Please put the controls into place mentioned in the guidance before using your businesses water systems.”