A Sittingbourne grandfather who collapsed after suffering Legionnaires disease has been allowed home.

Peter Apps, who turned 75 last week while in Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, returned home to Forge Road, Milton Regis after a month-long stay.

The retired lorry driver is believed to have picked up the condition – a bacterial pneumonia contained in water droplets – during a short break in Bournemouth at the end of September.

His brother Mike, of Homewood Avenue, Sittingbourne, said: “There’s still a long way to go. He couldn’t wait to get out.

“He’s eating and it’s just the long road to recovery now, with check-ups. He’s still on antibiotics. Thank God he’s home.”

The family were prepared for the worst when Peter was rushed into the intensive care unit and put in a medically-induced coma.

“We’re just glad he got out of the hospital,” added Mike. “It was a bit of a scare.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t get out before his birthday. He had that in hospital, but such is life.”

"We’re just glad he got out of the hospital. It was a bit of a scare" - Mike Apps

Meanwhile, the Bournemouth hotel at the centre of the suspected outbreak, the 127-bed Roundhouse, part of the Britannia Hotels chain, closed voluntarily while environmental health officers from Bournemouth council carried out tests.

Louise Jones, environment health team manager for Bournemouth council, said: “The investigation and microbiological testing is ongoing, with the aim of pinpointing whether the potential source or sources was within the hotel.

“If that is the case the council will expect that the hotel demonstrates it has completely and permanently eradicated the problem.

“As this is a potential enforcement matter which could lead to proceedings, the council is not able to comment any further at this stage.”

No one from Britannia Hotels was available to comment before we went to press.