A THIRD child is in hospital after an outbreak of food poisoning.

A total of seven cases of E.coli, including both adults and children, have been confirmed on Teesside and County Durham, with public health officials investigating the source of the outbreak.

Residents are being warned not to eat any pre-cooked meat or savouries bought at Robinson’s butchers and caterers in Wingate and Billingham since June 25.

Two children were in hospital this morning but now a third child has also been admitted, a Public Health England spokeswoman has confirmed. Officials say the advice is precautionary while work continues to identify the source.

E.coli O157 is a serious bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure.

Environmental health teams from both County Durham and Stockton councils are working with local health protection experts from Public Health England to control the outbreak.

Dr Deb Wilson, consultant in health protection and chair of the outbreak control team, said: “The source of this outbreak is not yet known.

“However, several of the affected people are known to have eaten cooked meat products bought or supplied by Robinson’s butcher shops in either Wingate or Billingham.

“Although our investigation is at a very early stage, as a precautionary measure we are advising anyone who has bought cooked meats or savouries from Robinson’s butchers in Wingate or Billingham since June 25, and still has them in their fridge or freezer, not to eat them and to throw them out immediately.

“The owner and staff of Robinson’s butchers and caterers are co-operating fully with the investigation and have agreed to discard all ready to eat food from both premises while the investigation continues.

“The premises have also agreed to carry out a deep clean of both premises and reinforce good hygiene practices.

“E.coli O157 infection can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and more rarely kidney failure in children.

“Anyone who has eaten cooked meats bought since June 25 from Robinson’s butchers and feels unwell should contact their GP in the usual way”.

*We have been asked to make clear that Robinson's Butchers in Crook, County Durham, is not part of the investigation into the E.coli outbreak and has no connection to the shops in Billingham or Wingate.