A FATHER from Stourport was reduced to tears when his first family holiday was ruined by a virus that hit more than 100 people at a hotel in Turkey.

Richard Campion, 46, had paid £4,000 to stay at the four-star Lykia World hotel, in Turkey, with his son, Oliver,16, daughter, Jemima,14, his partner, Linda Mold, 50 and her daughter, Molli Saull, 12.

When they arrived at the 875-room hotel, on Monday, October 18, they were handed a letter from their travel agent, Thomas Cook, that said there had been an outbreak of a virus.

Two days later Jemima fell ill and within a week the whole party were struck by fever and severe stomach upsets.

Mr Campion said: “It was our first family holiday together because we hadn’t been able to afford one until then. I booked it two months before going but on the day we got there we got letters saying there was a virus going around. I was told by the rep that it was worse two weeks ago but was getting better.”

He added: “I wouldn’t have gone on the holiday if I was warned about the illness.”

He went on: “I was in tears and couldn’t sleep because our holiday was ruined. In the end I had to go to a different hotel, out of my own pocket.”

The family are still recovering from the illness after returning home on Sunday, October 31.

A spokesman for Thomas Cook UK and Ireland said: "As soon as we became aware of some of our guests reporting illness at LykiaWorld in Olu Deniz, both Thomas Cook and LykiaWorld immediately sent independent hygiene consultants to undertake a thorough investigation.

"Both consultants found that the hotel was operating to an extremely high standard and the cause of the illness was purely down to a viral infection passed on between guests."

He added: "Thomas Cook and the LykiaGroup are very sorry that a number of guests were unwell during their stay and sincerely hope they have all made a full recovery."

Mr Campion has contacted Irwin Mitchell solicitors, which already represents guests who fell ill at the same hotel in 2008.

Head of Travel Law at Irwin Mitchell, Clive Garner, said: “We have already received enquires by more than 100 people who have suffered or are continuing to suffer serious illness following stays at Lykia World.”