FIVE people are still in hospital following a North-East outbreak of E.coli but there are no new reported cases, public health officials have said.

A total of 12 people are believed to have been affected and Public Health England (PHE) are continuing to focus its investigation on Robinson's Butchers in both Billingham and Wingate, County Durham.

Dr Deb Wilson, a PHE consultant in health protection and chair of the outbreak control team, said it was continuing to investigate all possible causes of the outbreak.

"There were no new reports of illness over the weekend so the total affected continues to be 12, of which four children and one adult remain in hospital.

"Although a definite source has not yet been identified, many of the affected people are known to have eaten pre-cooked meats or savoury products supplied by Robinson’s butcher and caterer shops in Wingate and Billingham before control measures were introduced on Wednesday, July 15.

"For this reason the precautionary advice issued last week still stands: we are continuing to advise 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 Robinson’s 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."

Robinsons have consistently declined to comment.

However, customer Pamela Lenehan of Wingate said: "Robinsons have served our village and villages beyond for 100 years and are one of the cleanest butchers around.”