A FURTHER two suspected cases of the potentially fatal bug E.coli have been reported to health officials investigating a North-East butcher's shop.

One of the suspected victims was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham where three others are being treated. They are in a stable condition.

A girl who had been taken to the hospital for treatment has since been discharged.

Public health officials said last night that there were nine confirmed cases and seven suspected of suffering from E.coli 0157.

The investigation is concentrating on Castle Bank Butchers in Front Street, Chester-le-Street, which has closed voluntarily.

It is believed the outbreak may be linked to cold cooked meat bought from the shop.

But Dr Deb Wilson, chairman of the outbreak control team co-ordinating the investigation, said: "Active investigations are also being pursued into other possible sources. Further laboratory results are awaited and final results will not be available until next week.

"Castle Bank Butchers are continuing to co-operate and remain voluntarily closed today.

"Discussions are ongoing with environmental health officers to assess the possibility of the shop reopening for the sale of raw meat only, as an interim measure.

"We would like to repeat our earlier precautionary advice, which is that any cooked meats bought from Castle Bank Butchers should not be eaten."

Environmental health officials have received several calls from members of the public. A Chester-le-Street District Council spokesman said: "They are fielding a lot of calls from people who think that they might have E.coli. It is general concern."

Other shops in the chain - at Esh Winning, Crook, Stanhope and Corbridge, North-umberland - are still open for business.

No one from the firm was willing to comment yesterday.