A BUTCHERS’ shop with possible links to a salmonella outbreak has decided to close.

There have been 19 confirmed cases of salmonella and three suspected cases, with several of those affected known to have eaten pre-cooked meats from Chapman and Sons butchers in Blackhall Colliery, east Durham.

Public Health England North East’s health protection team continues to work closely with the environmental health and public health teams from Durham County Council to investigate the outbreak.

The outbreak control team is aware that the food business operators of Chapman and Sons butchers in Blackhall Colliery have decided to cease trading.

Chair of the outbreak control team, Dr Deb Wilson, said: “The decision to close the premises is one that has been taken solely by Chapman and Sons and was not advised or required by the outbreak control team.”

A spokesman for the shop said: “We have closed shop, but for other reasons.”