A Lancashire cheesemaker has provided an update after a number of its cheese products were recalled following an E.coli outbreak last year.

Mrs Kirkham's, based near Longridge, has told its customers that there has been no trace of E.coli found in its products following extensive testing by the Food Standards Agency, and hopes it won't be long until the family run firm's cheeses can be put back on the market. 

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced a precautionary recall of four products from cheesemaker Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese on Christmas Eve because of possible E.coli contamination and added a fifth product on December 27.

It came as one person in Scotland died following an outbreak of E.coli, with investigations seeking to determine if the outbreak was linked to the cheese manufactured in Lancashire.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said 30 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (Stec) had been recorded across England and Scotland since late July in people aged seven to 81.

The UKHSA said last year that investigations were continuing into any common links between cases, including links to the recalled Mrs Kirkham's cheeses.

It said at the time: “One death has been associated with this outbreak.

“Epidemiological and food chain investigations have identified links between some of the identified cases and a number of unpasteurised cheeses produced by a business in England.”

The recalled cheeses were: Mrs Kirkham’s Mild and Creamy Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Tasty Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Mature Lancashire, Mrs Kirkham’s Smoked Lancashire, and No 1 Waitrose and Partners Farmhouse Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese.

The agencies said the products might be contaminated with Stec.

READ MORE: One death in E.coli outbreak after recall of Lancs cheese

However, on Thursday, Graham Kirkham, who helps run the family business, issued a statement, updating customers on the current situation.

He said: "Thanks to everyone for your support of me, my partner Kellie, and my mum and dad. 

"We are so grateful for all your kind messages, emails and calls at this devastating time.

"Listed below are the current facts of the situation regarding the recent limited EColi outbreak and the precautionary recall of our cheese which was issued by the FSA on Christmas Eve.

"Since 2015, alongside regular inspections from Environmental Health we have had third-party hygiene inspections and audits from SALSA, all of which we have passed.

"As part of the safe production of cheese we have in place a HACCP – Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points plan – and we closely follow the key control points identified, to eliminate pathogen contamination and growth.

"We sell over 70,000kg of raw-milk Lancashire cheese each year, each cheese being made following a historic cheese recipe that is well established and widely used.

"Our product has always been tested following our microbiological testing schedule, to ensure it complies with all UK regulations on general E.coli numbers and the O-157 strain, and that it meets Food Standards Agency and industry requirements.

"The recent outbreak of E.coli is from a lesser-known strain of E.coli –the STEC 0145 strain.

"Of the 31 people infected with this strain since last August, only eight said they had consumed Kirkham’s cheese as one of their many foodstuffs before their infection, and of these eight, seven of them had a mixed cheese and charcuterie plate served by a third party.

"Since the outbreak we have been visited and inspected by a senior food microbiologist from Public Health England and had a full dairy inspection of the farm.

"The Food Standards Agency has taken and tested over 60 different batches of Kirkham’s cheese and five separate milk samples, and taken environmental swabs from around the dairy. 

"All samples have shown no evidence of the EColi 0145 strain.

"The investigation is still ongoing because the FSA epidemiologists are still seeking to identify the cause of the outbreak. 

"Products other than Kirkham’s cheese, and other potential sources are also being investigated. 

"This investigation by the FSA is far from concluded and may take months.

"At present, our family business still cannot sell our cheese, but we hope that working constructively with the FSA and our local Environmental Health officer, it will not be long before we will be able to recommence sales of our Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese and sell our tested product with renewed confidence in its safety.

"On a personal note, we are the last producer of raw-milk farmhouse Lancashire, and as such we are part of Britain’s social history. 

"There were once hundreds of farm cheesemakers in Lancashire like us. 

"We have made raw-milk cheese on our site for 46 years.  I learnt the business from my mum, who learnt it off her mum. 

"I hope that our next generation will in turn learn the business from me, and our very special cheese will continue to be produced and not be confined to the annals of history.

"With your much-needed support that hope can become a reality, and raw-milk Lancashire cheese will continue to be available to enjoy."

Mr Kirkham also said that the family's farm shop is back open, as of January 18.

The farm shop sells products from The Seafood Shack, bread from Lovingly Artisan Bakery, pies from Tim's Ribble Valley Catering, meat from Sillfield Farm, and guest cheeses from other suppliers.