FINANCIAL compensation is possible for victims of E.Coli cases, according to Mike Neil, from Pictons, a Watford-based law firm, which has previously dealt with compensation for E.Coli cases in Cumbria and for cryptosporidium, an illness caused by a water-borne bacteria, in Lancashire.

But Mr Neil, who specialises in multi-party actions, such as food poisoning cases, said there would have to be a clear case for a claim, something not yet established in the E.Coli 0157 cases found in Eccleston this week.

He said: "It may be in this outbreak that there is nobody to blame, that is certainly possible in E.Coli cases.

"But cases in the past have been caused by meat not being stored properly or someone not washing their hands and bacteria has somehow crept into the food."

Mr Neil said victims in his previous cases had received compensation settlements of between £1,500 and £3,000.

He added: "E.Coli can be very nasty indeed and if someone is ill for a long-time the claim can be for much higher, hopefully the patients in this case will be making a full recovery."