Bug scare closes farm site popular with family visitors

A popular visitors attraction in East Yorkshire has closed its doors for the last time after an outbreak of E.coli.

Cruckley Animal Farm at Foston-on-the-Wolds, near Driffield, has been a favourite for families for more than two decades.

But the owners, John and Sue Johnston, have decided to close for good after six cases of E.coli 0157, the most common form of the bug, were linked to the farm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Both adults and children were affected, either by direct contact with animals or their faeces. One had been hospitalised, but all were now on the mend.

Dr Terry Matthews, from the North Yorkshire and the Humber Health Protection Unit, said they were keeping a watching brief but were confident they’d found the source of the infection.

In a statement the Johnstons said they were “hugely concerned” when they heard what had happened and had voluntarily closed the farm.

They said: “We have welcomed people onto our farm for almost 25 years and this is the first time we have experienced anyone becoming ill.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have been proud of the cleanliness and hygiene standards maintained across the farm, which we believe were in line with best practice.

“We have always believed that a visit to a farm makes an important contribution to a broader understanding of the countryside and nature more generally. However, in light of what has happened, after a great deal of consideration, we have taken the difficult decision to retire.”

Yesterday water supplies in parts of Scotland returned to normal after an outbreak of E. coli.

A small number of the bacteria were found in a storage tank that feeds the Burghead, Kinloss and Findhorn areas.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Householders and businesses were told on Wednesday they should boil their water before drinking it or using it for cooking. Scottish Water said that following testing the water had been given the all clear.

Related topics: