The number of E .coli victims across Dorset has now increased to 18, Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed.

The seven additional cases have come to light following screening tests carried out on children and staff at the Blandford Children’s Centre.

They are described as “secondary” cases in that they have contracted E coli from another confirmed victim.

It is not known whether the seven new cases are adults or children but a PHE spokesperson said they had not all become unwell from the bug.

PHE also confirmed it has still not managed to find a link between the first victims, and investigations are still being carried out.