A GRANDFATHER who fell critically ill with Legionnaires' Disease following a trip to Bournemouth has hired a legal team to investigate conditions at the hotel where he stayed - which has now been named as The Roundhouse Hotel.

Peter Apps from Kent was left fighting for his life after he returned home from a visit to the town at the beginning of October. He believes he contracted the potentially fatal disease during that trip.

He has now instructed specialist public health lawyers from firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate conditions at the 127-bed Roundhouse at Lansdowne, run by the Britannia Hotel chain, where he and a friend stayed.

Environmental health officers from Bournemouth Borough Council carried out tests at the hotel, which closed voluntarily and is currently closed for refurbishment. The results are still awaited and an outbreak of Legionella at the hotel has not been confirmed.

Retired lorry driver Mr Apps, 75, was left fighting for his life after contracting the potentially deadly disease and spent weeks in intensive care. At one stage his family were called to the hospital to say their goodbyes.

Public health expert Amandeep Dhillon, a partner at Irwin Mitchell, said the firm will carry out a thorough investigation to find out if Peter contracted the illness due to conditions at the hotel.

He said: “Legionnaires’ disease can be prevented if the correct safety procedures are followed, but sadly there are still hundreds of reported cases of the disease every year and it is clear that further action is needed to reduce the number of outbreaks which occur.

“Our attention is now focused on thoroughly investigating the issues related to the Roundhouse Hotel in Bournemouth, as Peter and his family understandably want answers following this ordeal. Peter’s friend also fell seriously ill following their stay at the hotel so we would urge anyone else who suffered problems at the hotel to get in touch, as they may be able to help with our investigations.”

Peter said: “Although I have a long road to recovery, I’m so lucky to be alive. My family and I have been through a terrible time as a result of this illness and we just want answers as to how this came to happen.”

The Echo contacted Britannia Hotels and had not had a response at the time of going to press.