Two new cases have been confirmed in an E Coli outbreak linked to blue cheese in Scotland.

Health bosses confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the number of cases in the outbreak linked to Dunsyre Blue cheese has risen to 22.

It comes after Food Standards Scotland (FSS) said on Wednesday night that all cheese produced by Errington Cheese, which makes Dunsyre Blue, should be withdrawn from sale after traces of E Coli were found.

The outbreak is also being linked to new cases of the infection in Carnoustie in Angus.

FSS also said all products manufactures by Errington must be "recalled and held with a view to being destroyed".

The multi-agency team established to investigate the national outbreak has now been reconvened after further cases were identified.

Dr Alison Smith-Palmer, chairwoman of the incident management team (IMT) led by Health Protection Scotland, said: "Our epidemiological investigations have identified Dunsyre Blue cheese as the most likely cause of the outbreak.

"To date, the IMT has established that 19 of the 22 confirmed cases had eaten blue cheese prior to becoming ill.

"Of these, 15 are known to have eaten Dunsyre Blue while others cannot be certain about the brand of blue cheese they have consumed. Investigations are ongoing on the other cases.

"During investigations of this nature, the organism causing the outbreak is not always identified from the implicated food as the food consumed by cases is often not available for testing as illness can occur weeks after the food has been eaten.

"In addition, not all those who have eaten an implicated product will become ill because the organism is not always evenly distributed throughout the product."

She added: "The IMT has considered all the information available to them, and continue to be of the view that Dunsyre Blue remains the most likely cause of the outbreak.

"As part of the investigations carried out by South Lanarkshire Council and Food Standards Scotland on behalf of the IMT, a large number of cheese samples have been taken as well as other investigations conducted.

"These have identified a number of different cheeses produced by Errington Cheese Ltd containing organisms with the potential to cause serious illness including O157 E Coli and toxin producing non-O157 E coli.

"Based on these findings, Food Standards Scotland has issued a food safety alert to withdraw all cheeses produced by the company.

"Food Standards Scotland is advising all consumers who have purchased any cheeses produced by Errington Cheese Ltd not to consume them, and to return the products to where they purchased them.

"In view of these developments, the IMT has been reconvened and will be meeting on a regular basis to review and consider all information as it becomes available to protect public health."

NHS Tayside and Angus Council are investigating cases of the infection affecting a small number of children linked to the Peter Pan Play Group in Carnoustie.

The IMT is in contact with those managing this investigation and initial information suggests that there may be a link to the national outbreak and investigations are ongoing.