A YOUNG couple are suing a five-star Turkish resort after their romantic getaway was ruined by a stomach bug.

Naomi Harding, from Leigh, jetted off to the Diamond Hill Resort, in Turkey, in June 2013 with her boyfriend Kieran Pierce, from Hockley.

They expected a sun-kissed, relaxing holiday, which they booked through the Freedom Travel Group.

But instead, they both suffered from a gastric illness which caused diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps.

Both had to seek treatment from their GPs when they returned home.

Miss Harding, who was signed off from work for five weeks by her doctor, was diagnosed with gastroenteritis, which is still causing her problems more than a year later.

For Mr Pierce, 22, the stomach upset was more serious because he suffers from diabetes.

On top of the gastric problems, he developed ketoacidosis – a condition caused by a lack of insulin in the body – which left him extremely weak and lethargic.

The illness meant he was at risk of slipping into a diabetic coma if his condition got worse.

The couple complained about food preparation at the hotel, reporting some of the food servedwas left uncovered, that some of the hot food was served cold or just lukewarm and that on occasions fresh food was just added on top of old food.

The couple cut their holiday short and have instructed specialist travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of their illnesses.

Miss Harding, 21, who works as a secretary, said: “I still struggle with stomach issues and ongoing symptoms.

“Our illnesses ruined the holiday and forced us to leave the resort to return home early. As Kieran is diabetic, it was incredibly scary for me to see his condition decline.”

Jennifer Downing, an international personal injury law expert at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Aside from making holidays extremely unpleasant, gastroenteritis can have a longterm impact on a sufferer’s health.

“We hope the Freedom Travel Group will work with us as we seek answers.”