Iberostar Regency Beach Hotel, Corfu

A woman from Blacon, Chester is taking legal action after her holiday to Corfu was ruined when she contracted E-Coli leaving her hospitalised and on a drip.

Katherine Jones, 44, and husband Tony, 57, travelled to the Iberostar Regency Beach Hotel in Corfu in October 2008 with tour operator Thomas Cook.

Just days into their holiday they both fell ill, suffering abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and high fevers. They have now instructed travel experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell to pursue a claim for compensation for their illnesses and financial losses following the holiday.

Mrs Jones was so ill that she was rushed to a Greek clinic by ambulance, where she was put on a drip and given injections to help ease the pain and sickness.

Since returning to the UK, Mrs Jones has been diagnosed with E-Coli and she continues to suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome as a result.

Mr Jones said: "We were absolutely appalled by the standards at the hotel. The restaurant was filthy, we frequently saw birds and cats in the dining area and dishes of food were often left uncovered.

"We saw old food being topped up with new batches from the kitchen, and none of the staff wore gloves, just handling the food with their bare hands."

Mr Jones was distressed further when representatives at the hotel ignored his complaints.

"When we tried to speak to someone about our concerns they didn’t want to know," he said. "They just dismissed us."

"The conditions at the hotel were not what we expected and it is very upsetting, particularly for my wife, who continues to suffer with health problems as a direct result of the appalling standards."

Mark Watts, from the International Travel Litigation Team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors is representing Mr and Mrs Jones. He said: "No holidaymaker should have to suffer as a result of poor standards of health and hygiene. On this occasion Thomas Cook were responsible for ensuring that the Iberostar Regency Beach Hotel was safe and suitable for holidaymakers to stay there.

"Failures at the hotel not only ruined this couple's holiday but also left Mrs Jones with a long term illness. As a result we are now pursuing legal action against Thomas Cook."