VOLUNTEERS have slammed Bury Council bosses for threatening them with legal action if they do not cough-up extra cash for a health check.

The council has demanded money from 29 self-managed centres to pay for monthly Legionella disease checks.

Until now, the authority has carried out the checks for free — Bolton and Rochdale councils continue to do so.

Elms Community Centre in Whitefield has been told it must pay £583 by today to avoid legal proceedings. But secretary Cllr Joan Grimshaw said they cannot raise the funds.

In a letter to Cllr Grimshaw seen by the Bury Times, Bury Council director of finance Mike Owen, said: “If payment is not received within seven days, it will be necessary to refer the matter to the council solicitor.”

Legionella is an infectious disease that spreads through water. It can cause Legionnaire’s Disease, which can kill. In 2002, an outbreak in Barrow killed seven people.

An inquiry found it had started at a leisure centre owned by the local council. The law now says councils must carry out tests in public centres that have a water supply.

Cllr Grimshaw said: “The test has been free so I can’t see why we’re being billed now. I’m the secretary, so I’m personally liable for the bill.

“We can’t afford it. Our centre gets funding from very few places. If the council goes down the legal route, the centre would possibly have to look at closing. Things are hard enough with other bills.”

A Bury Council spokesman said: “Self-managed clubs are liable to pay the cost of these tests as part of their contractual agreement to meet utility charges.

“Bury Council has carried the cost for 18 months but, due to budgetary pressures, we now have to pass this on. The cost varies depending on how big each centre is.

“We urge local groups who think they will have difficulties to contact us and we will look at each case. We already have meetings lined up with some clubs.”