Exmouth attraction's E.coli health scare

PART of Exmouth s World of Country Life has closed after an E.coli health scare hit the popular visitor attraction. The amusement site, in Sandy Bay Holiday Park, acted on advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and East Devon District Council yest

PART of Exmouth's World of Country Life has closed after an E.coli health scare hit the popular visitor attraction.

The amusement site, in Sandy Bay Holiday Park, acted on advice from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and East Devon District Council yesterday and decided to close its petting areas and deer train ride.

Three cases of the disease could be linked to the site following infections in children who visited the farm last month.

HPA said it was 'acting on information that potentially linked the farm with three individuals with confirmed E.coli 0157 infection.'

The spokesperson, however, said there was no confirmation as yet that it was the source in those cases.

Nigel Lee, manager of the World of Country life, said tests would be carried out by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency this Monday to determine if there was an E.coli outbreak at the site.

Scores of journalists from local and national media descended to the Exmouth farm today, September 19.

Keen to stress the park was still open despite reports in the media, Mr Lee added: "Ninety per cent is still up and running.

"The only slight alteration which the Health Protection Agency have asked us to do is shut the petting areas and the safari deer train. All the play areas and exhibition areas are still open.

"The HPA put out a press release saying we were closed which is totally wrong. We're just being careful at the moment and have merely isolated areas.

"People can still see all the rabbits and the little animals but obviously they can't handle them.

Mr Lee said a West Country Classic Vehicle Club event scheduled to take place at the World of Country Life tomorrow, September 20, would still be held.