THE seven people who died in the Barrow legionella outbreak are being remembered 20 years on.

A man and six women from Barrow lost their lives after contracting Legionnaires' disease from a faulty air conditioning unit. 

Around 180 others also fell ill.

August marks two decades since the tragedy.

Those who died were Richard Macauley, 88, Wendy Millburn, 56, Georgina Somerville, 54, Harriet Low, 74, Elizabeth Dixon, 80, June Miles, 56 and Christine Merewood, 55.

They became infected with the rare disease after passing under a poorly-maintained air conditioning unit next to The Forum.

Grandad Richard Macaulay, of Smeaton Street, was the first to die in the outbreak.

He was remembered at the time by his family as a lovely man', while staff at a care home he was resident at described him as a gentleman.

Wendy Millburn, a mother of two of Latona Street, Walney, was remembered as a 'smashing wife' who 'had time for everybody.

Georgia Somerville became the third victim of the outbreak on August 13.

Mrs Somerville, of Gloucester Street, was described as a 'devoted family woman'.

Harriet Low died in Furness General Hospital on August 18 2002 surrounded by her family. The 74-year-old, of Longway, was a great grandmother.

Elizabeth Dixon died on the same day.

She lived in Greengate Street.

Grandma June Miles died at her home at Westway fewer than three weeks after treatment for the disease. She worked at the Quix newsagents in Roose Road.

And Christine Merwerood died on August 30.

She was a stallholder at Barrow Market and was a keen bowler and swimmer.

They were remembered by the community ten years on from the tragedy in a ceremony held at St George's Church in Salthouse Road.