Six British tourists are currently in hospital on the Costa Blanca after being diagnosed with Legionnaire's disease.

The group's symptoms became apparent whilst they were staying in Calpe, but the source of the disease, which has an incubation period of between ten and 12 days, is yet to be established as the tourists have been moving from place to place.

All six are now on a ward in a clinic in Benidorm, after spending several days in intensive care.

The local health authority believes the outbreak is under control and has confirmed that the official protocol was put into action as soon as the disease was detected.  In addition, further preventative measures have been undertaken, including a thorough cleansing of the water and sanitation systems where the tourists have stayed.

The possibility of more cases appearing over the next few days has not been ruled out as the six affected tourists are part of a larger tour group.  The hotel in Calpe has tested negative for signs of the disease.