LANCASHIRE shoppers have been reassured that they are not affected by the E.coli outbreak believed to have started in Morrisons stores in Scotland.

Health bosses launched a probe after a 66-year-old disabled woman died on Monday and two other people were taken seriously ill following the spread of the E.coli O157 infection.

NHS officials have said initial inquiries suggested the bug could have come from cold meat bought at two Morrisons in Paisley, Scotland.

The supermarket said it had withdrawn cold meats from the stores as a precaution.

Morrisons has stores in Blackburn, Blackpool, Chorley, Kirkham, Leyland, Morecambe, Nelson, Preston, Thornton Cleveleys and Todmorden.

A spokesman said: "We are currently working closely with the authorities and although the full facts are not yet known, we have, as a precautionary measure, withdrawn sliced cold meat products from sale at the delicatessen counters of two stores in Paisley.

"No other products or Morrisons stores are involved in this investigation."