AN investigation into an E.coli outbreak on Orkney has failed to pinpoint a common source of the infection.

The joint probe by NHS Orkney and Orkney Islands Council found six confirmed cases of E.coli but revealed there was no direct link between them.

Dr Louise Wilson, director of public health at NHS Orkney, said: "The investigation team have worked hard to try and identify where the infection came from.

"Although we could identify some general common similarities, we could not pinpoint a common source."

She added that some of the cases may have involved cross-contamination of raw and cooked meat.

One victim remains in hospital with the infection.