A BUTCHER'S has closed as a probe is carried out into an outbreak of E.coli food poisoning.

Managers at Robinson's butchers in Billingham have voluntarily agreed to close the shop following the confirmation of another case of E.coli, bringing the total to 15.

However, Robinson's other premises in Wingate, south Durham, will remain open as no cases have been associated with that butcher's since controls were introduced on Wednesday, July 15.

Of the cases, two children and two adults remain in hospital. Two other children previously in hospital have been discharged and are recovering at home.

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, not just the butcher's.

Consultant in health protection and chair of the outbreak control team, Dr Deb Wilson said: "Although the exact source of this outbreak is yet to be confirmed, many 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 before July 15.

"As a precautionary measure we advised anyone who had bought ready-to eat food from Robinson’s butchers in Wingate or Billingham between June 25 and July 15, not to eat it and throw it out.

"Until yesterday, no new cases who had eaten ready-to-eat products from either shop had been identified since control measures were introduced at both shops on July 15.

"Concerns were raised yesterday when a suspected case was reported who may have eaten ready-to-eat food bought at the Billingham shop last week, after control measures were introduced."