THREE people have been hospitalised following an E.coli outbreak on the Isle of Wight.

Anyone who has bought raw (unpasteurised) milk from Briddlesford Lodge Farm have been warned to return or dispose of it following the outbreak, which has sparked a public health investigation.

Public Health England said there have been four confirmed cases of E.coli O157 and three cases of Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) linked to the outbreak, and raw milk from Briddlesford had been confirmed as the source of the infection.

Those with E.coli have made a good recovery, but those with HUS are in hospital and receiving treatment.

Officers from the Isle of Wight Council's environmental health team have been working closely with the farm, which has cooperated fully with the investigation, to ensure the affected raw milk has not entered the sales chain since September 25.

Anyone who has bought unpasteurised milk from Briddlesford before September 25 should not drink it.

Dr Ishani Kar-Purkayastha, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health England South East, said: "We have been working with colleagues to investigate these cases and hope all those affected are better soon.

"All steps have been taken to prevent the spread of infection further including removal of the milk from sale, and necessary hygiene and safety measures."

The E.coli O157 infection can cause sickness, severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and blood in urine.

A small number of those who are infected go on to develop a serious condition called Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS), which may lead to kidney failure.

The infection can also spread from person to person, and from contact with farm animals or their faeces.

Paul Griffin, from Briddlesford Lodge Farm, said the milk was no longer on sale and the risk to the public had been removed.