A COUPLE from Bury are to take legal action after severe gastric illness ruined their holiday to Egypt.

Alan and Lynda Blackledge have instructed travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of the illness suffered by Mr Blackledge, who continues to suffer symptoms weeks after returning home.

The couple arrived at the Jaz Mirabel Hotel, in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, last month, but Mr Blackledge, aged 55, started to suffer from diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain.

He was restricted to his room for long parts of the holiday, and since returning home, has had to visit his GP for medical treatment.

Irwin Mitchell lawyers say they will be seeking to work with the tour operator Global Travel Group Ltd, who in this case were trading as Holiday Gems, to investigate what happened at the hote.

Mr Blackledge and Mrs Blackledge, aged 53, claimed the hotel was not up to the standard they expected and that they regularly saw flies on the food in the restaurant, Food was occasionally left uncovered for long periods of time and was often served at incorrect temperatures.

The couple also reported that other holidaymakers staying at the hotel in June were suffering with similar symptoms, some being young children.

Mr Blackledge, a market supervisor, said: “I’m still suffering with these symptoms and have had to visit my GP for treatment. I am usually the one with the cast iron stomach but this time the illness got to me severely. I am constantly tired now which is not like me.

"I am a very active person, and as a market supervisor, I have to be, as I am on my feet all day. It is the very last thing we expected when we booked the holiday and I want answers about why we were so badly let down.”

Jatinder Paul, an expert international personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing the couple, said: “The illness Alan suffered at the Jaz Mirabel Hotel is extremely concerning, particularly as his symptoms continue to affect his day-to-day life weeks after his return home.

“We will now be investigating the problems that Alan and Lynda have described as we seek to determine exactly what caused the gastric illness. We would urge anyone else who has had a similar experience at the Jaz Mirabel to come forward as they may be able to help with our investigations.”