A worker at a centre researching the spread of bovine tuberculosis is suspected of contracting the disease from an infected badger.

Staff at the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) at Woodchester Park near Stroud, are being screened after an employee was suspected of picking up the infection.

The agency's head of executive support Dr Alison Wilson confirmed the health of a member of staff was under investigation.

She said: "We can confirm that a member of staff is being investigated for a suspected mycobacterial infection.

"Some of Fera's staff work on long-term wildlife research projects looking at the relationship between badgers and cattle in the spread of bovine TB.

"Fera is therefore treating the case seriously, as it may represent infection by mycobacterium bovis, the organism which causes bovine TB."

She also confirmed about 30 other employees were also being screened.

Dr Wilson said: "This is the first instance of suspected bovine TB among staff at the agency, which has been working in this research area for more than 30 years.

"The risk of contracting the disease from this type of work remains very low.

"The risk to the health of the public remains very low."

She refused to say whether the member of staff suspected of contracting the disease was being treated in hospital.

The research scientists at Woodchester Park work on the ecology of badgers and their role in spreading bovine TB to cattle.

The work involves radio tracking and observational studies.

Tuberculosis is a serious disease affecting warm-blooded animals.

Cattle, buffalo and bison are the natural host of its infectious organisms - but nearly all warm-blooded animals are susceptible to the infection.