A HOLIDAY provider has removed all of their guests from a hotel after a husband and wife from Burnley died.

This latest advancement comes after reports suggested that numerous guests had become unwell during their stays at the Steingenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada, Egypt.

John Cooper, 69, and his wife Susan Cooper, 63, from Burnley, died within hours of each other on Tuesday while they were on holiday in the popular seaside resort.

A spokesperson for Thomas Cook, where Susan Cooper was a 'loyal and long-standing employee', said: "Safety is always our first priority, so as a precautionary measure we have taken the decision to remove all our customers from this hotel.

"We have also received further reports of a raised level of illness among guests."

It has now been widely reported that Mr Cooper had a heart attack on Tuesday and was transferred to the main hospital in Hurgada where he passed away shortly after arriving. 

Mrs Cooper is said to have died a couple of hours after her husband from what hospital staff have described as 'grief'.

The pair were staying at the Steingenberger Aqua Magic Hotel, which is popular location for hundreds of holiday makers and well reviewed on online travel websites. 

Their all-inclusive holiday had been booked through Thomas Cook, where Mrs Cooper had been a 'long-standing member of staff.

Mr Cooper, a builder with his own business, was thought to be a well-known figure in and around Burnley.

A probe into their deaths has now been launched by Thomas Cook travel agents, who say they are 'deeply saddened' by the deaths.

Ingo Burmester, Chief of Thomas Cook, said: “We are deeply saddened by the deaths of two of our customers while on holiday in Hurghada in Egypt, one of whom was a loyal and long-serving member of our Thomas Cook family.

“Our focus is on fully supporting their loved ones. We are urgently investigating with the hotel and supporting the local authorities.”

It is believed that Thomas Cook's Head of Customer Welfare, Carol Mackenzie, flew to Hurghada last night to offer support to the couple's families.

It is also understood that the branch Mrs Cooper worked in, based on Curzon Street in Burnley, was closed yesterday in a mark of respect to the couple.

A sign placed on the door or the travel agents read: "Due to unforeseen circumstance, the shop will not be open today."

The Foreign and Commonwealth office also confirmed that they were in contact with the family of a British couple.

A spokesperson for the Government body said: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in Hurghada, Egypt and we are in contact with the local tour operator.”