THE number of people infected with the E.Coli virus in an outbreak in the Eccleston area has risen to 15.

Health officials investigating the outbreak in the village, near Chorley, which was first reported at the weekend, believe that although it has now been contained, the numbers of cases may still rise because the virus can be incubated for up to ten days.

Ten patients in hospital, who are all said to be "satisfactory", are responding well to treatment and are expected to be discharged in the next few days.

The common link between the cases was the delicatessen counter in Kwik Save's Eccleston supermarket, which was closed as a precaution.

Environmental health officers at Chorley Borough Council said they believed the outlet was responsible for the outbreak and are no longer looking for possible other sources.

Simon Clark, the council's principal environmental health officer, said: "We are satisfied that the swift voluntary closure of the outlet will ensure there is no further spread from that source."

The store is still advising customers who have purchased meat or cheese from the counter after November 1 this year to return the products as soon as possible and fruit and vegetables from an adjacent counter.

Public health officials from South Lancashire Health Authority and the environmental health department at Chorley Borough Council is still investigating.