PETTING farms in south Essex are keeping a close eye on a move towards banning toddlers from touching their animals in the wake of the E-coli outbreak.

As the number of cases linked to Godstone Farm in Surrey rose to 67 yesterday, the Department of Health announced the advisory committee on dangerous pathogens would be reviewing guidance on open farms.

The committee will be tasked with reviewing all evidence, including calls to ban young children from petting farm animals.

The move came after expert Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, said parents should “think very hard” about letting under-fives touch animals at petting farms.

Bosses at local petting farms say they are watching the situation with interest.

Phil Burrows, general manager at Barleylands Farm, in Billericay, said they have temporarily restricted free access to their animals as a precautionary measure.

He said: “We have stringent measures in place to stop the spread of bacteria, but we will follow any instructions that are laid down. The health and safety of our visitors is paramount to us and we would always rather be safe than sorry.”

Lisa Flecknell, information officer at Marsh Farm Country Park, in South Woodham Ferrers, said: “We already take every precaution to prevent the outbreak of viruses, but we are being vigilant at this time.

“We have checked that the alcohol gel we have on site for hand cleansing is effective against E-coli, and we have additional signage in place to remind visitors to take additional care at this time. However, we would like to remind visitors that this is not a cause for concern and we are open as usual.”

Clare Fleming, manager of the Rare Breeds Centre at the Salvation Army’s Farm in Hadleigh, said: “We are following all the guidelines and will be happy to comply with any other guidelines that come along. On a farm you are always aware of the risks but we take measures to try to combat them.”