Legionella was discovered in a hospital ward where cancer patients are treated, the Evening Times can reveal.

Low levels of the bacteria that causes deadly Legionnaires' disease were discovered at the Beatson West of Scotland cancer centre in November last year.

A Freedom of Information request by the Evening Times has found that concerns were raised by a water quality expert about monitoring procedures following the discovery.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the level of legionella found in the Beatson did not pose any risk to patients and the "appropriate steps" were taken to treat it.

The health board has appointed an independent authorising engineer to review the safety of its water processes.

It said an awareness drive was also carried out last year with infection control experts visiting every estates management team at every hospital within the board area.

Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria. The bacteria can rapidly multiply if they find their way into artificial water supply systems, such as air conditioning systems.

The elderly and those with a compromised immune system are most at risk.

Enhanced legionella tests are carried out at the Beatson three times a year, on top of monthly water temperature tests because the centre treats some of the city's most vulnerable patients.

The board say other hospitals are assessed on an individual basis dependant on numbers of "high risk" patients treated.

A spokesman for NHSGGC said: "The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre has the water temperature tested monthly as well as the enhanced specific legionella testing quarterly and in November 2014 a low level legionella presence was detected in a ward.

"The level found did not pose a risk to patients and the appropriate steps were taken to treat this.

"In line with our procedures the water system was checked for any ongoing presence of legionella between November 2014 and February 2015 and none was found.

"A concern was raised in November 2014 by a contractor who provided water management support to Gartnavel General in relation to the low level of legionella detected in a ward at the Beatson.

"We do not accept that this concern is justified given the robustness of our water safety processes."

NHSGGC said the independent engineer was satisfied all the appropriate water testing processes were in place.

The last outbreak of Legionaires' Disease was in the Renfrew area in the summer of 2013 when 11 people were affected. The source of the outbreak has never been identified.

Last week the Crown Office ruled that no-one will face prosecution over an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Edinburgh which killed four people.

A total of 92 cases were lequest identified during the outbreak in 2012.