A second petting farm has closed following an E.coli outbreak that left 14 children ill in hospital.

The closure of Horton Park Children's Farm, in Epsom, Surrey, over hygiene concerns follows that of sister farm Godstone Farm, also in Surrey.

The total number of cases linked to the Godstone Farm outbreak now stands at 40, with four of the children in hospital described as seriously ill.

Of the other children, seven are in a stable condition and three are improving.

A Health Protection Agency (HPA) spokesman said it was not aware of any cases of E.coli O157 linked to Horton Park Children's Farm, but added: "The hygiene arrangements were found to be unsatisfactory and the HPA advised the local authority that the farm should be closed immediately while these defects were rectified."

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