THE second of two Dorset children suspected of having a rare form of E coli does have the illness, tests have confirmed.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that two children were in hospital being treated for haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and that one of these had tested positive for E coli.

Public Health England (PHE) has now revealed the second child, who is from the same household, has now been confirmed as having E coli 055.

Two adults from the same household have also tested positive for the rare strain of the bug, one of whom is also in hospital.

This means the total number of people with confirmed cases of E coli 055 is currently four, three of whom are in hospital.

A fifth person linked to the same household as the four confirmed cases has tested negative for the infection.

It is not known whereabouts in Dorset the affected family live, as PHE will not reveal this information.

Earlier this week, dad Kyle Stark whose young daughter Kallie contracted E coli at Blandford Children's Centre last year, called on PHE to do more to make parents aware of the new cases and the hygiene steps they need to take.

PHE said an investigation was underway, trying to find a common link between all the cases but as yet this has not been successful.

It said it had taken action on this latest cluster of cases, including informing the school attended by one of the children in hospital, contacting the workplaces of the adult confirmed and the possible cases, asking detailed questions about all activities, places visited and food consumed in the fortnight prior to the first case being reported and alerting local GPs and hospital doctors.

The agency said there was typically an increase in the numbers of cases of E coli over the summer and repeated advice to wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet, handling food and after contact with animals.