CRAVEN people visiting farms are being urged to follow simple precautions to protect themselves against infection.

North Yorkshire County Council health chiefs issued the message as people begin to organise springtime farm visits.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, the county's director of public health, said the trips could be great fun and educational for children and adults alike.

But he added: "There are a number of bugs that can be picked up during a visit, including E-coli and Salmonella.

"These bacteria live in the gut of animals, so people can get infected at farms mainly in two ways – either by touching animals in feeding or petting enclosures or by coming into contact with animal droppings on contaminated surfaces around the farm.

"These harmful bacteria can get accidentally passed to your mouth by putting hands on faces, or fingers in mouths. It only takes a small number of the bacteria to cause infection.

"Washing your hands thoroughly with liquid soap and warm running water and drying them with disposable paper towels immediately after you have touched animals, fences or other surfaces in animal areas will reduce the risk of infection."

Anyone who suffers sickness or diarrhoea within a fortnight of a farm visit should contact their GP or call NHS 111.

A free Public Health England leaflet providing more information can be downloaded from gov.uk/government/publications/farm-visits-avoiding-infection.