THE family of a 'hero' doctor who was the first to uncover the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Barrow is 'humbled' by hospital's potential plans to honour his life.

Long-serving rheumatoid specialist Dr William Smith Mitchell dedicated more than 30 years to Furness General Hospital before he sadly died of pulmonary fibrosis in February.

Dr Mitchell was a beloved husband to Maureen, treasured dad of Val, Caroline, William and David and cherished grandad of Priya, Amelia, Nevaeh, Cerys and William.

In honour of Dr Mitchell's three decades of service, potential plans are being discussed for Furness General Hospital to erect a bench outside the A&E department to pay tribute to his life.

Dr Mitchell's son, William, said the family feel 'honoured' that their dad's life will be remembered by the hospital.

He said: "As a family we feel honoured that plans are in place for a bench to be put outside the A&E department in memory of dad.

"It will allow people to spend quality time outside of a place that dad spent so many years of his life.

"Dad would've been really humbled by the gesture. He was never the type of person who wanted a fuss but he would've been proud to have had a bench put up in his memory.

"His life was his work and family. His only other love apart from his family was being doctor.

"He spent so much of his life at the hospital that it's fitting a memorial bench may be put at Furness General Hospital for him.

"We feel proud and honoured as a family."

Dr Mitchell qualified from Glasgow University in 1977 before becoming a consultant at Furness General Hospital in 1990.

He went on to become a training programme director for rheumatology in Morecambe Bay and became an associate dean at Manchester University in the medical department.

He was also instrumental in bringing the Liverpool Medical School undergraduate students to Morecambe Bay.

One of Dr Mitchell's most prominent achievements was being the first to spot the outbreak of the legionnaires disease at The Forum in 2002. The outbreak, in which seven people died, was ranked the second worst in British history.

UHMBT confirmed talks were in motion regarding the tribute.