An expert has said it is 'odd' that someone could make a credible claim to have been affected by anthrax without proof.

Dr James Stark, a historian of medicine at the University of Leeds, said he was surprised to hear of the anthrax attack that sparked the Shorehead shutdown .

He said: “I was surprised because anthrax is not the kind of substance that is readily available to people.

“Anthrax is a naturally occurring disease, but the modern worry people have is that it is a weapon associated with terrorism.

“It's odd that someone could make a credible claim to have been covered with anthrax without proof, or without having studied it.”

Anthrax: What is it? Click here to find out

Dr Stark, who studied a PHD in the history of anthrax, has just written a book about the history of the disease in West Yorkshire during the late 18 and early 19 century.

He said: “Anthrax was historically associated with the wool trade. Wool was brought to Yorkshire from all around the world, carrying anthrax with it.

“When the wool was opened in factories the spores were inhaled by workers. At the time they didn't know what it was.

“People thought they had a common cold because the disease doesn't cause many symptoms when inhaled, but all of a sudden people started dying. Anthrax was known as the 'Woolsorter's Disease'.

“Back then people were worried about going to work and contracting it, but nowadays it's one of those things – as soon as someone mentions it everyone thinks of terrorism.”

Click here to see how we covered the Huddersfield anthrax scare as it happened

'Anthrax attack' report sparked huge Shorehead shutdown - click here to read

Anthrax: what is it? - click here to read