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Children's farms on E-Coli alert

Sep 27 2009 by Sam Wood, Sunday Sun

FARMS across the North are increasing safety and cleanliness measures in the wake of E-coli scares in North Yorkshire and Surrey.

Visitor numbers have been hit at many children’s farms throughout the region as people stay away. Currently around 79 people are in hospital with the infection.

On Friday, Big Sheep and Little Cow Farm in Bedale, North Yorkshire, was advised it should take action as a “precautionary measure”.

Three cases of the bug have potentially been linked to the farm, the Health Protection Agency said.

But other farm bosses in the region have reassured visitors that extra precautions are in place and are perfectly safe for children after visits by health inspectors.

Gemma Sillito, who works at Tweddles Farm in Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, said: “We have been getting a large number of calls from people who are concerned about what has been going on in Surrey.

“Numbers are definitely down. Visitors are staying away because they are scared about infections, but there should be nothing for them to worry about.

“We have taken some extra measures, there are now a lot more places to wash hands and there are signs up making people aware of how important cleanliness is. The message is . . . it’s business as usual.”

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