TIPS on avoiding food poisoning are being issued by health experts.

Middlesbrough Borough Council has issued a leaflet in response to cases of sickness and diarrhoea caused by eating contaminated food.

Julian Hedgley, the council's principal environmental health officer, said: "Bacteria and viruses are found everywhere in the home environment, on food and on animals. Many leisure activities such as walking, canoeing, camping and visiting farms carry a risk of infection too.

"Just because something looks clean, it doesn't mean it's free of bacteria.

"Some foods people bring into the home, particularly poultry, may be contaminated, so hands should always be washed after handling them."

For a leaflet, call (01642) 264050.