FINAL test results are still awaited to confirm the source of an e-coli outbreak in County Durham.

But public and environmental health experts continue to suspect the infection is linked to Castle Bank butchers shop in Chester-le-Street.

The source of the outbreak, of the suspected O157 strain of the infection, is believed to have come from cold cooked meat products.

Dr Deb Wilson, who chairs the outbreak control team, said the total number of confirmed cases remains at 11, with one further suspected case, in the near three weeks since the illness arose.

None of those victims remains in hospital.

Dr Wilson said environmental health officers had worked closely with Castle Bank shop staff and management, who had co-operated fully.

"The shop reopened on July 8, with the full agreement of the outbreak control team, including environmental health officers, for the sale of raw meat products only.

"No cold cooked meat products are on sale.

"All cold cooked meat products within the shop have been incinerated as a precautionary measure.

"As the investigation is not yet complete, discussions are on-going with environmental health officers to determine when the shop may begin to resume selling cold cooked meat products."