SIXTEEN members of a Gwent family whose holiday to Tenerife was ruined by food poisoning have secured an undisclosed settlement from their tour operator.

The large extended Thomas family were hoping for a relaxing two-week break at the Luabay Costa Los Gigantes resort in January 2010, which is now known as the Be Live Family Costa Los Gigantes resort, but were struck down with symptoms of gastric illness just days into their holiday.

Travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell heard that the food was often served undercooked or at incorrect temperatures, and food was frequently left uncovered for long periods of time. They also saw many flies in the restaurants during meal times.

The family suffered symptoms including diarrhoea, sickness, abdominal pains, lethargy and a loss of appetite with two members of the group continuing to suffer with problems.

The settlement was secured from tour operator TUI UK Ltd, which had denied liability for the illness suffered.

Gaynor Thomas, 72, booked the holiday at the resort with her husband and their extended family.

She said: “It was a horrendous holiday and we all suffered with symptoms of gastric illness. I was very worried about my husband as he has a heart problem and is on medication to treat this.

"We were concerned it would react with the medication he needed to take to stop the symptoms we experienced.

“The conditions and hygiene standards at the hotel were not what we were expecting and I’m glad that Irwin Mitchell have managed to secure a settlement for us so we can start putting the worst holiday of our lives behind us.”