MORE than 140 British holidaymakers have launched legal action after being struck down with severe illness at a luxury five-star resort in Turkey.

Dozens of families claim they contracted a sickness bug which ruined their holidays while staying at the Mukarnas Resort and Spa, in Antalya.

Tourists reported being served lukewarm buffet food which was surrounded by flies, 'disgusting' toilets, a dirty pool and other unsanitary conditions throughout the hotel.

A total of 140 people have now instructed lawyers to investigate after suffering severe gastric illnesses during what should have been their dream holidays.

Among those affected were a Bromsgrove family.

Julie O’Sullivan, 45, her partner Gary Hunt, 46 and her two children Harry, 16, and 15-year-old Hannah travelled to the resort on May 29 through tour operator Jet2 Holidays.

However, within the first few days of their week-long holiday, the family fell ill.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Gary and Julie.Gary and Julie. (Image: SWNS.)

Julie and Gary, who are both delivery drivers, and the two children all began suffering from stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Julie said: “We’d been looking forward to going away for such a long time, but just two days in, Harry and I fell ill.

"It came on all of a sudden and for the first 24 hours, the vomiting and diarrhoea was constant. Then Gary and Hannah got it.

“It was awful, as we spent most of our holiday in our room, unable to enjoy any day trips.

"The whole holiday was a complete disaster and it’s still upsetting to think about it now.

“When I think back, there were flies in the restaurant area and a lot of the food at the buffet was left uncovered, which allowed flies to get to the food.

"I also noticed that when children were being sick outside, it was often left there for hours, or just swept into the drain or pool, meaning that guests were sometimes accidentally standing in it.

"The hand sanitiser in the machine on entry to the restaurant was often also empty.

“The toilets were also left in a disgusting state, and I complained about this several times, but I never saw them cleaned during the day even though people were being sick and having diarrhoea.

“We feel this is totally unacceptable for a five-star resort."

Hannah, who is still at school, fortunately began to feel better within a few days, and the family arrived back in the UK on June 6.

Meanwhile, Julie, Gary and Harry continued to suffer illness, with Julie contacting their GP on behalf of the family.

Upon return to the UK, Harry, who was in his final year at senior school, had his GCSE exams, which were 'extremely difficult' to sit due to his ongoing gastric symptoms.

Julie and Harry continue to suffer with ongoing issues, several months after their holiday and are undergoing various tests with their GP.

Jennifer Hodgson, an international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing those affected, including Julie and her family, said: “Julie, Gary and their family are among a large number of holidaymakers who stayed at this resort and who were struck down by illness.

“We now represent more than 140 people who stayed at the Mukarnas Resort and Spa this summer and understandably have many questions about how they fell ill.

"We’re now investigating their concerns and are determined to obtain the answers they deserve.”