THE E.coli scare spreading across Britain is hurting recession-hit businesses in the Burnham and Highbridge area, the Weekly News can reveal.

Four animal petting farms across England have been closed following an outbreak of the most serious E.coli 0157 strain, which has infected 64 people and left nine children in hospital.

It has reportedly been spread through contact with animal faeces at petting farms, and now several animal attractions in the Burnham and Highbridge area have expressed their concerns about the effect of E.coli on their businesses - which are already being buffeted by the recession.

Helen Deckett, owner of Alstone Wildlife Park in Highbridge, told the Weekly News: “We have scarcely had anyone in over the last few days.

“Over the weekend the weather was lovely and we should have had loads of people in - but we had no-one.

“So the E.coli scare is clearly having an ongoing effect with us.”

Symptoms of E.coli include vomiting and diarrhoea and it can be particularly virulent in children, occasionally leading to kidney damage.

This new scare has prompted the Department of Health to instruct a committee to review its existing legislation on whether young children should come into contact with animals on petting farms.

But Pauline Kidner, founder of the Secret World Animal Rescue Charity in East Huntspill, told the Weekly News: “I have great sympathy with the children who are seriously ill at the moment.

“But if you stop young children coming into contact with animals I think you really are getting into a nanny state.”

Animal Farm in Berrow has also seen visitor numbers decrease, but said that because of the time of year it was impossible to tell whether the drop-off was seasonal.

Owner Andrew Prewett said that the farm had already seen a downturn in guests over the summer because of the recession.

This week it has also emerged that Cricket St Thomas, near Chard, is getting rid of some its animals after falling visitor numbers.

A Department of Health spokesperson said the risk of infection from E.coli through petting farm animals could be prevented by following good hand hygiene measures.