A WIDOW whose husband contracted Legionnaire's disease from handling compost said bags should feature stronger warnings about the risk.

Andrew Murphy, from Lanarkshire, was infected by compost he bought to grow his own tomatoes seven years ago.

He died in October from leukaemia. Mr Murphy's wife Margaret said his immune system had been left badly weakened after his battle with Legionnaire's, which saw him spend 50 days in intensive care.

Most compost bags instruct gardeners to use gloves and wash their hands after use but Mrs Murphy told BBC Scotland: "We have to have warning labels.

"Nursery school children are using compost to plant sunflowers.

"I would not want another family to have to go through what we've gone through. It doesn't cost a lot of money but nobody's listening. That just upsets me."

Potting compost can harbour Legionella longbeachae, a species of Legionnaires' bacteria.

Scientists believe it is passed to gardeners through breathing in very small dust particles or drops of contaminated water. It cannot be transmitted from person to person.

Five cases of Legionnaire's linked to compost were identified in the Lothians and Tayside in 2013.

Last year, a report by Health Protection Scotland recommended that bags should warn gardeners to wear a mask if the compost is dusty, since infection can occur when spores are inhaled. However, manufacturers said such warnings were alarmist.

In a statement, the Growing Media Association (GMA) said it took the issue "very seriously".

"The GMA would like to reassure garden centres and their customers that the risk of infection remains extremely low," it said.

"This was confirmed by a recent report by Health Protection Scotland which recorded less than one case per million population between 2008-2012.

"Compared with the number of gardeners in Scotland and the volume of growing media used, the HPS report concludes that the risks of severe disease are very low."

Legionnaire's disease is more commonly caused by the bug Legionella pneumophili, which lives naturally in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and can be found in man-made structures containing water such as air conditioning systems.

Infections associated with compost are much more common in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, where it accounts for about 30 per cent of all cases of Legionnaires' disease.

The symptoms of Legionella longbeachae include headaches, diarrhoea or a dry cough followed by pneumonia.

Most people recover after treatment with antibiotics but those with underlying medical problems are more vulnerable.

The Scottish Government does not have the power to force manufacturers to change their labels, but Health Protection Scotland recommended that it "explore with its relevant UK counterparts how best to secure agreement with manufacturers and/or retailers".

Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: "The Scottish Government has enormous sympathy for the family of Mr Murphy, and all of the other families affected by Legionnaire's Disease.

"We have carefully considered the available international evidence, which suggests that labelling does not have an impact on the number of cases. However, we will keep this issue under review.

"We welcome the advice and recommendations of Health Protection Scotland. We would encourage anyone using compost to wear gloves, use a mask if dusty and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards."