London - The number of swine flu infections in Britain rose to eight Thursday, with two new cases reported in London and one in the north-eastern city of Newcastle, the Department of Health said.

The patient diagnosed in Newcastle was living with students at the city's university.

A honeymoon couple in Scotland, who were the first people to be diagnosed with the disease in Britain after returning from Mexico, was released from hospital Thursday.

A 12-year-old schoolgirl is among those infected. She had also been on holiday in Mexico and returned to Britain on the same plane as the Scottish couple last week.

The authorities said there are about 80 suspect cases under investigation.