We'll sue travel firm over our salmonella nightmare

Brian and Elizabeth Hercus are seeking legal advice after their holiday at The Houria Palace Hotel in Tunisia

Brian and Elizabeth Hercus, from Livingston, are taking legal action against Thomas Cook after Mrs Hercus fell ill with suspected salmonella after staying in the "unsanitary" Houria Palace Hotel in Port El Kantaoui.

Mr Hercus, 48, and his wife, 46, started experiencing symptoms when they returned home from Tunisia in June.

Mrs Hercus made an emergency appointment with her doctor, who revealed that she had contracted salmonella.

Despite having been back home for weeks, Mrs Hercus is still suffering and is off work, while her husband also had to take time off when he returned from their week-long break in the four-star hotel, to ensure he had not contracted the bug.

The couple are now working with travel law company Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in a bid to get compensation after claiming Thomas Cook "refused to acknowledge their complaint" and to ensure that other tourists are not exposed to the same risks.

Mrs Hercus, who works for Greggs, said hygiene standards at the hotel were poor, with animals left to left to wander through dining areas.

She said: "From the very start the food looked very unappealing. It was served on a buffet table and was often left uncovered.

"Several times we saw stray cats wander through the room and doors were left open allowing wildlife to come and go as it pleased. The staff appeared to have taken very little care over the food preparation, as several times we saw burgers that were still raw in the middle and eggs were served which were only partially cooked. I hate to imagine what went on that we didn't see."

Mrs Hercus, who has had to endure several weeks of illness, added: "This experience has ruined a holiday which should have been wonderful.

"Now I can't bear the idea of going away and would be very nervous about eating anything.

"I was so ill when we got home that Brian had to have four days off work just for tests, and I am still off work even now. I was constantly exhausted for three weeks and suffered really severe stomach cramps. I'm still ill, even though we've been back well over a month."

She added: "The manager of the hotel has been in touch asking how I am, and apologising, but even though we've called and written to Thomas Cook they haven't even contacted us."

Thomas Cook confirmed that Mr and Mrs Hercus' solicitor has recently been in touch with the company and that a full investigation will take place following the couple's complaint.

A spokesman said: "We were very sorry to hear that Mrs Hercus was unwell and hope that she has had a full recovery.

"The company works hard with its hotel partners to ensure that all aspects of health and hygiene are closely monitored and we are not aware of any other complaints from our guests at the Houria Palace Hotel."