FOUR more people may have been infected with E.coli food poisoning bringing the total number of people affected to 12, health officials have revealed.

A total of eight people were already known to have E.coli 0157 disease which is linked to pre-cooked meats sold by Robinsons butchers in Billingham and Wingate in County Durham and the total is now 12.

Four children aged between eight and 12 are in hospital along with an adult.

A spokeswoman for Public Health England said a definite source has not yet been identified but it had been established that many of the affected people had eaten savoury products supplied by Robinsons butcher and caterer who have shops in Wingate and Neasham Avenue in Billingham before control measures were introduced on Wednesday.JULY15

Health protection experts from Public Health England and environmental health teams from both County Durham and Stockton councils are continuing to investigate all possible sources of the outbreak.

Residents in the south of County Durham and North Tees have been advised not to eat any cold pre-cooked meats or savouries bought since Thursday, June 25 from Robinsons butchers and caterers in Wingate and Billingham, and to throw out any they may still have in their fridge or freezers.

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

Consultant in health protection and chair of the outbreak control team Dr Deb Wilson said: "The source of this outbreak is not yet known. However, many of the affected people are known to have eaten cooked meat products bought or supplied by Robinsons butcher shops in either Wingate or Billingham.

"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, not to eat them. If they still have any of these products in their fridge or freezer they should throw them out immediately.

"The owner and staff of Robinsons butchers and caterers are co-operating fully with the investigation. They have conducted a deep clean of both premises and discarded all ready to eat food prepared before Thursday, July 16 July.

"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."

No-one was available to comment at Robinsons today, but a manager at the butchers has previously declined to speak.