A GRANDMOTHER from Oldbury who contracted food poisoning on a holiday of a lifetime has been awarded a five-figure compensation settlement.

Michael and Margaret Bateman, both 67, visited Hotel Club Riu in Gran Canaria in 2011 for a month to celebrate her retirement.

However, the trip quickly turned into a nightmare when she contracted Campylobacter, its symptoms include lethargy, nausea and severe diarrhoea, and was confined to her room.

When she returned UK she was unable to leave her home for months due to the illness and still feels the affects four years later.

After instructing specialist international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of Margaret’s illness she has been given a bumper payout (she is unwilling to divulge the exact figure).

The tour operator, TUI UK Ltd denied that they were responsible throughout the legal battle, despite a confirmed diagnosis of the bacterial food poisoning related condition, Campylobacter, and supportive reports from a microbiologist and health and hygiene officer.

Margaret told lawyers during her stay at the four-star resort in Las Meloneras, she witnessed dirty cutlery and tables, cockroaches and suspected that the food served in the restaurant in the evening may have been reused the following day.

After her holiday Margaret’s gastric symptoms continued and she is still forced to visit her GP for ongoing problems which she suffers with.

Jennifer Mullins, an expert travel lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who represented Margaret, said: “This case shows just how much of an impact a holiday illness can have, as Margaret continues to suffer with long term problems related to the illness contracted whilst on holiday.

“After a lengthy case, we are now delighted to have secured a settlement for Margaret to cover the cost of her ruined holiday and the ongoing problems she endures.

“We are pleased to have agreed a settlement with TUI UK Ltd and we hope that Margaret will now be able to put this dreadful ordeal behind her.”

Margaret said: “I would not wish my experience upon anyone as it’s really knocked my confidence and it’s made me no longer look forward to going on holiday.

“Psychologically my illness has tremendously affected my life and whilst I have been away on holidays since, I am very conscious of falling ill again."

She added: "No amount of money can make up for the impact that this illness has had on my life, but now that I know TUI have paid for the failings at the resort, I can begin to move forward.”