A GREENOCK couple are taking legal action after they booked a dream holiday which turned into a nightmare.

Allison Baird stayed at the Polis Grand Hotel in Athens with husband Paul, 60, prior to a special cruise holiday to celebrate her 50th birthday last October.

But their special break was ruined after Paul contracted salmonella and wasn’t able to enjoy the cruise aboard Carnival Vista.

Allison said: “Paul suffered serious gastric symptoms as soon as we boarded the ship and it was clear something wasn’t right.

“Although he received medical treatment on the ship, he was still unwell when we came home and so he visited his GP.”

The pair arranged the trip through Hays Tour Operating Ltd, trading as Cruise Nation, and are two of several tourists who have suffered a similar fate.

Solicitors from legal firm Irwin Mitchell have taken up their case and are investigating the outbreak of illness.

Allison said: “I can’t believe he suffered salmonella.

“We are just so frustrated by everything that happened.

“This was meant to be a memorable holiday for many reasons, but sadly now we will only remember it for these problems.”

A spokesman for the law firm said that all of those affected said they sought advice either from the ship’s medical centre or on their return to the UK, with one passenger requiring to be hospitalised for a few days in Barcelona due to the severity of his symptoms.

Amandeep Samra, a specialist illness lawyer from Irwin Mitchell, said: “We are very concerned by the accounts we have heard from our clients and have started to make our own enquiries.

“Among the specific issues we will be considering is whether there is a link between the illness and an egg dish served during breakfast at the hotel that all of those affected appear to have eaten.

“Gastric illnesses such as salmonella can have a significant long-term impact on those affected, with such problems often leaving people with long-term health symptoms from which they often never fully recover.

“We are determined to help the holidaymakers who have instructed us to obtain answers regarding the issues they have faced.

“As part of our investigation we would be keen to hear from anyone else who was affected or witnessed the problems.”