A FAMILY of six who all became ill on an Egyptian holiday have described their experience as ‘a fortnight of hell’.

Nancy Bamber, 69, travelled to the Xperience Kiroseiz Parkland Hotel, in Sharm-el-Sheikh, with daughter Sharon Lang and her partner Ralph Bentham.

Sharon’s children, Jordana 19, and 12-year-old Ellice were also part of the trip, as well as Ralph’s daughter Rebecca.

The holiday makers have now instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to begin proceedings against tour operator First Choice.

They said the holiday was ruined when they were struck down with illness just three days into their two-week break last July.

By the end of the holiday, they said all members of the family who travelled to the resort were suffering with illness.

The family claimed some meals were served lukewarm or undercooked, and complained that tables and cutlery were sometimes dirty.

On occasions they claim they saw staff turning over food-stained table mats instead of cleaning or replacing them.

Nancy, from Chorley, who said she had to visit the hotel’s GP three times for treatment, said: “The hotel’s website promises ‘spellbinding gardens and legendary hospitality’. I do not feel that this is what we received.

“As a result of the illness, we were stuck in our rooms for the majority of time spent there. It was distressing for the whole family to be sick whilst on holiday.

“As a parent it is always horrible to see a child fall ill, no matter how old they are, and I just felt exhausted by the experience.

“We ended up so concerned that we were opening doors with our elbows so as not to touch anything.”

After returning from the holiday, three of the family said they continued to suffer from diarrhoea, stomach cramps and tiredness with 54-year-old Ralph, who is diabetic, forced to take time off from his job as a window cleaner.

The family said the illness affected Sharon’s remaining time off work from her job as a learning support assistant and left retired Nancy feeling exhausted, upset and put off foreign travel.

A spokesman for First Choice said they were sorry to hear that members of Ms Bamber’s party did not enjoy their holiday.

He said: “We closely audit all the resorts to which we operate, including the Xperience Kiroseiz Parkland Hotel, to ensure that health, hygiene and comfort levels are maintained.

“Reports of sickness at this hotel in 2012 were minimal, and it continues to be an extremely popular choice for our customers.”