More E.coli cases are confirmed

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Two more cases of E.coli O157 have been linked to a children's petting farm in Surrey, taking the total number to 76.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it expected more people to come forward with symptoms because of the bug's delayed incubation period.

Godstone Farm closed on 12 September following the outbreak.

Five children remain in hospital in a stable or improving condition. None of youngsters are seriously ill, according to the HPA.

Negligence claim

Experts from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) said lambs, pigs, goats, cattle, ponies and rabbit droppings at the attraction had tested positive for the O157 strain of the infection.

On Tuesday the family of the "seriously ill" child, who has not been identified, announced they had instructed a solicitor to pursue a negligence claim against Godstone Farm.

Three other farms have also closed amid E.coli concerns.

Horton Park Children's Farm, in Epsom, the sister farm to Godstone Farm, shut over hygiene concerns.

White Post Farm in Nottinghamshire closed after two confirmed cases of the E.coli O157 strain and a further two potential cases emerged.

The World of Country Life farm, in Exmouth, Devon, voluntarily closed its deer run and animal petting areas on the advice of the Health Protection Agency after three children who visited the farm contracted E.coli.