Last September Godstone Farm was under the national microscope following one of the largest outbreaks of E.Coli the UK has ever seen. Tens of thousands of pounds were lost and part-time staff were let go as health inspectors shut the petting zoo down to stop the pandemic spreading further.

Six months on, manager Richard Oatway invited reporter Owen Evans to the farm to show him the changes made to bring back the customers.

Godstone Farm manager Richard Oatway is sitting alongside a two-year-old girl stroking a baby rabbit when I arrive.

It is a surreal sight so soon after the national controversy that ensued 93 confirmed cases of E.coli from visitors to the farm last September.

In the most severe cases children were hospitalised with kidney failure, including Redhill toddler Alfie Weaver.

Many parents – including Alfie's mother, Gemma – declared they would never set foot on the farm again.

However, Mr Oatway has revealed to the Mirror the changes he has been making to try and win back customers and bring his business back from the brink.

They include:

● Extra hand-washing units and hygiene signs installed around the farm.

● A new 'look but don't touch' platform for concerned families.

● A temporary ban on interaction with cows, sheep and goats.

Mr Oatway has implemented the changes despite the fact that results of the Griffin Inquiry into the outbreak are still not published.

He said: "We have decided to put things in like the observatory platform for worried parents so they have a choice.

"It will be hard to shake off the events of last September, but I don't think it is something that will be associated with Godstone Farm forever.

"Lots of parentshave been with us for a long time and they realise that E.coli can be present in many animals all the time.

"The changes we hope will help with some of the concerns parents may still have."

The 60-year-old said staff have sent letters to all neighbouring schools, inviting them back to the farm during the half term break.

Tandridge District Council's Deputy Director of Community Services, Paul Barton, told the Mirror he was surprised the Griffin Inquiry is still going on.

He said: "We are surprised that we haven't had the results of the inquiry yet.

"It's fair to say we would have expected to have heard something by now.

"However, I understand they are being extremely thorough and the reason it has been delayed for so long is because they have been visiting petting farms all over the country.

"They are doing their utmost to stop an outbreak like this ever happening again."

For more information visit www.godstonefarm.co.uk.