A child has died after contracting E Coli in an outbreak which has been linked to blue cheese.

Twenty people across the country fell ill with the same strain of E Coli O157 in July, prompting a Health Protection Scotland investigation.

The organisation confirmed on Monday that a child has died from the illness.

Dr Alison Smith-Palmer, who has been chairing the incident management team (IMT) leading the probe, said: "On behalf of the IMT, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the child who has died.

"Our thoughts are with them at this time and we ask that their privacy be respected.

"All confirmed cases became unwell prior to the end of July. As there have been no new cases since then the IMT will now stand down and work to produce its final report."

Eleven of the 20 cases received hospital treatment after suffering symptoms.

HPS said epidemiological investigations into the outbreak had found that Dunsyre Blue, produced by Errington Cheese in South Lanarkshire, was the "most likely cause".

Several batches of Dunsyre Blue were recalled after the outbreak.

Experts said that they had not managed to find any other link to the majority of the cases, however Errington Cheese disputed the link after carrying out their own independent tests.

The health body said that Food Standards Scotland and South Lanarkshire Council would continue to work with Errington Cheese.

Humphrey Errington, who runs the firm, told STV News that he had been asked not to comment on the investigation, however added that he was "very upset" to hear about the child's death.

The outbreak initially affected 16 people, who developed symptoms between July 2 and 15.

The majority of cases had consumed the blue cheese while eating out but the company carried out a voluntary recall of suspected batches and advised consumers who had bought batches of the product between mid-May and the end of July not to eat it.

Of the initial 16 cases, 14 were in Scotland across seven NHS boards and two were in England.

HPS said that despite extensive investigation no link to a majority of cases other than the cheese could be established.

No new cases have been identified for several weeks and no-one has fallen ill since the voluntary recall on July 29.

A final report into the incident could take up to six months to be finalised.