A RESTAURANT at the centre of an investigation into a massive increase in salmonella cases could face prosecution, it emerged last night.

Health officials began their inquiries after 146 cases of the food poisoning infection were reported in County Durham and Darlington in less than two months - a worrying rise when compared to the 20 cases reported in the same period last year.

Of those 146 cases, 131 are in the Durham City neighbourhood. Last night, investigators said that there may be a link between some of the Durham City cases and Lau's Buffet King restaurant in North Road, Durham.

Bosses at the Chinese restaurant have assisted with the investigation, closing down for a time and introducing measures to improve hygiene.

But they could still face court action when the Durham City Council investigation is complete.

A council spokeswoman said: "It would be wrong to rush into early enforcement before we have all the medical data back from the laboratories and have correlated all other relevant information.

"The investigation is still going on, and it may be that enforcement action, which could include court action, will be the result."

Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) said 11 people were hospitalised as a result of the outbreak between May 1 and June 23.

A spokesman for the PCT said: "Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT, environmental health officers from Durham City Council and other local councils, and staff from the Health Protection Agency have been working together to investigate an increased number of cases of salmonella infection in residents of County Durham and Darlington.

"I can confirm that Lau's has been helping in the investigation.

"The investigations into the increase in cases of salmonella infection, as always, are broad and include a number of possibilities."

Dr Tricia Creswell, the PCT's director of public health, said that after a visit by health officials, the Durham City restaurant had introduced measures to prevent a recurrence.

She said: "The measures were extremely effective and the outbreak is now formally closed."

Jeab Prapunwong, from Lau's Buffet King, would not confirm if it was the restaurant in question, but said that hygiene had been improved.