A FAMILY from Todmorden who stayed in a hotel besieged by cockroaches and vermin, with a dining room invaded by dogs, birds and mice, are set to share in a £1.9million compensation payout.

The Ward family were three out of just over 400 holidaymakers whose dream breaks to a Dominican Republic hotel turned into a nightmare after outbreaks of salmonella and other serious stomach bugs.

Peter Ward, of Burnley Road, jetted out with wife Sharon, daughter Sarah and their grand-daughter Bethany, to celebrate his birthday, in 2007, and stayed at the four-star Bahia Principe Hotel.

But within days of their arrival they contracted acute gastro-enteritis, suffering agonising stomach cramps, sickness and diarrhoea. Sharon’s condition was reportedly so severe that she collapsed.

Manchester-based Irwin Mitchell have now confirmed that the Wards, and fellow guests who fell sick, are now in line for damages. The High Court was told that the hotel was plagued by the stench of sewage, urine and vomit. Guests complained of food being covered in flies. They claimed foodstuffs were being re-used and they had serious concerns over whether it was served or stored at the right temperatures. Dogs, birds and mice were seen in the dining room and toilets were often blocked or overflowing.

Clive Garner, of the law firm, said: “We are delighted for our clients that they have now received a fair settlement.

“The long history of guests suffering illness at this hotel makes grim reading. There were problems at the hotel on and off for 10 years in the lead up to the 2007 outbreak, and we are still receiving complaints from guests five years after that dreadful outbreak.”

Holidaymakers have previously been awarded payouts of £3.5million from the likes of Thomas Cook and My Travel over the same destination.