E.coli strikes again in Scotland

Three adults from Lanarkshire, the area hit last year by the world's worst outbreak of E.coli, which claimed 20 lives, were admitted to hospital yesterday after being struck down with the bug.

Doctors at Monklands District General Hospital said they were not, however, giving any "significant cause for concern". There are a further two unconfirmed cases, one of whom has also been detained in hospital. All five live in the Hamilton and Larkhall area.

In a statement, South Lanarkshire Council and Lanarkshire Health Board stressed there was no family, personal or organisational link between them, adding: "Nor is there any common link to a particular outlet or similar food purchase established at this early stage in the investigation." Clare Garner