A MAN has died from Legionnaire's Disease, which he possibly contracted from deadly water droplets discovered at Manchester's education headquarters.

Today 400 staff were on alert after the death of Allan Balderson, 51, a single man who worked for the education department's special needs team.

He died a few days before Christmas after falling ill with what he thought was flu. A massive clean-up operation is continuing at city-centre Cumberland House, where tests have uncovered the Legionella bug in a hot water supply.

It is thought Mr Balderson may have inhaled droplets from a spray tap, but health chiefs believe any further danger to staff has been eliminated.

David Johnston, Manchester's chief education officer, said: ''Allan Balderson's death was sudden and has greatly upset all of us working in the department. We took action immediately we knew there was a hazard and are still pursuing that.

''I understand Allan's journey to work was by train and his route to Victoria station has been checked as well.''

Some council staff are said to have been concerned action was not taken sooner to warn them of the danger.

But UNISON branch secretary Mo Baines said they were satisfied all necessary precautions had now been taken and there was no longer any risk to public health or staff safety. ''Updates are being given to staff as and when necessary and we are pleased about that,'' she said.

On Boxing Day, tests on the water at Cumberland House, which houses 400 council staff in the education, city catering and leisure departments, showed that Legionella bacteria were present.

The water supply has now been chlorinated three times and thermostats turned up to kill off any remaining bacteria.

A test of the water on New Year's Eve showed there had been no growth of the bacteria since the first chlorination.

A council spokeswoman said: ''Things are pretty much back to normal in Cumberland House, with hot water in all but two office areas. More tests are being run.''

Council officers could not confirm whether other council buildings will have precautionary checks. The first signs of Legionnaire's Disease are fever, cough and pneumonia

Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, moist, air conditioning systems and water tanks. The infection is most often contracted by men aged 40 to 70 and is transmitted by breathing in infected water droplets.