Four more reports of E. coli O157 infections in the North East have been received by health officials in the last 24 hours

This brings the total number of people affected to 12, of which five are in hospital.

Four of the people in hospital are children aged between eight and fourteen. The fifth person in hospital is an adult.

Although a definite source has not yet been identified, many of the affected people are known to have eaten pre-cooked meats or savoury products supplied by Robinson’s butcher and caterer who have shops in Wingate and Billingham.