A FAMILY'S first ever holiday abroad came to a terrifying end when they were thrown out of their hotel beds by an earthquake in the Turkey holiday resort of Marmaris.

Joseph Bailey, 29, and his fiancee Suzanne, 25, of Stansfield Road, Bacup, saved all year to raise the £1,600 for the fortnight's holiday.

But it was destroyed by the quake, which injured 100 people, in the early hours of Tuesday.

Joseph said: "It was booked as a special treat not just for the children but for Suzanne who had only recently lost her mother.''

With the two children Joshua, seven, and Declan, five, they flew from Manchester on September 27.

Marmaris was everything they hoped for and the holiday was going well until the early hours of October 5.

Joseph said: "We were in bed when suddenly at 3.30am to 4am there was a big rumbling sound. The hotel shook and we were thrown out of bed.

"It was terrifying. We were on the fourth of six floors and the building was still shaking. We just got the children and took them out to the pool area, we were desperate to get out of the building having seen on television what happened in the earthquake in the north of Turkey.''

Joseph said: "There were people running over each other in the panic. There was a lot of panic. The children were crying and a lot of the older people were crying as well.''

A German holidaymaker suffered a heart attack and had to wait some hours for treatment as medical services attended to a large number of injured in the resort. Joseph added: "We got out OK but were badly shaken. Even now back home if we hear an unusual noise it causes a panic.''

While some other holidaymakers were found alternative accommodation Joseph and his family were flown home the same night.

He said: "There was no possibility of going back in the same hotel which was full of cracks. But we wanted to stay because it was our first holiday abroad. We booked for a fortnight but only got a week's stay.

"I reckon it has cost us £1,000 with a number of trips we had already paid for never got to go on.

"When we made inquiries about getting some money back so that we can save for another holiday we were told there was no chance.''

The holiday was booked through Going Places in Manchester. A spokesman there said: "They should be entitled to some money for the number of days lost and possibly for the extra expense of the trips they missed.

"If they contact me I will look into their claim and forward it to the appropriate department.''

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