The response to an E Coli outbreak linked to a nursery has been scaled down.

NHS Tayside is investigating a "small number" of cases of the infection among children linked to the Peter Pan playgroup in Carnoustie, Angus.

The playgroup closed voluntarily on September 14 after the E Coli 0157 cases were detected.

The incident management team said may be related to an outbreak in South Lanarkshire which was linked to Dunsyre Blue cheese.

On Friday, NHS Tayside said it was going to "step down" the dedicated helpline established after the cases came to light in Carnoustie.

Dr Jackie Hyland, consultant in public health medicine, said: "We continue to investigate linked cases of E Coli infection affecting a small number of children in the Carnoustie area.

"It has been 12 days since anyone with symptoms has presented and the number of patients confirmed positive for E Coli infection remains low.

"Due to the low number of confirmed cases, we are unable to provide further details to protect patient confidentiality.

"During the investigation, a small number of suspected and confirmed cases of E Coli have been assessed and treated as appropriate within Ninewells Hospital.

"There are currently no inpatients related to this investigation at Ninewells Hospital."

She added: "We have also made the decision to step down the dedicated helpline number on Friday due to the very low number of calls received over the last few days.

"However, if you have concerns about your health or anyone in your family, you should contact your GP as you would normally, or call NHS24 on 111 outside office hours."

The health board stated the risk of E Coli infection "remains low" while it is continuing to investigate potential sources of the bacteria.

Earlier this month, the incident management team found 19 of the 22 confirmed cases in the South Lanarkshire E Coli outbreak had eaten blue cheese prior to becoming ill, with 15 known to have eaten Dunsyre Blue, made by Errington Cheese Limited.

In response to this, Food Standards Scotland issued an alert to withdrawal all Errington Cheese products as investigations into the spread of E Coli, which led to the death of a three-year-old in Dunbartonshire, continued.

Errington has contested the findings of the food watchdog, stating its own testing on its products had not found any trace of the bacteria.