Experts from the North East Public Health England (PHE) Centre and Stockton Council environmental health team have concluded their investigation into an outbreak of salmonella at the Anson Farm pub in Thornaby earlier this year.

A total of 98 cases of salmonella were reported in people who had eaten at the pub between April 26 and May 20.

Dr Peter Acheson, consultant in health protection at the PHE North East Centre, said: “The outbreak control team has concluded that the source of the infection in customers and staff could not be decided with certainty, though the most plausible conclusion is that the organism was introduced via a foodstuff and then spread by cross contamination in the premises.”

Stockton Council will continue to investigate and consider food safety enforcement issues at the premises.

Following the outbreak, The Anson Farm had its food hygiene rating slashed from five to two stars.

The Greene King pub chain, which owns the Anson Farm , on Teesside Industrial Estate, described the downgrading as a “huge disappointment.”

Probably not as disappointing for those who barfed.