A FAMILY of seven is taking legal action against a tour operator after their dream trip turned in to a 'holiday from hell'.

Rosemarie Latham, 36, from Accrington, booked the all-inclusive family holiday to the Hotel Club Atlantico, Guardalavaca, Cuba, through tour operator Thomas Cook in August 2007.

Mrs Latham, her husband Richard, 55, and her children Liam, five, Harry, seven, Lauren, 14, Rosie, 15 and Tarus, four, travelled to the Caribbean resort in August 2007.

But within four days of arriving at the hotel Mrs Latham said that every member of the party was suffering from nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps.

They have now launched legal action against Thomas Cook - but the tour operator has said that the safety of all its customers was always their priority.

Mrs Latham claims her family's illness was due to the poor standards at the hotel.

She said: "The food in the hotel was completely inadequate.

"I thought that most of the food was under-cooked and there were flies everywhere, in and around the food, on the tables and all over the restaurant."

Mrs Latham asked her tour operator's representative to be transferred to a different hotel, and they were sent to the Brisas Hotel in the same resort which she claims was just as bad.

She said: "This has been the worst holiday we have ever had and we all feel very let down.

"We are shocked and disappointed that any tour operator would continue to send people to either of these hotels.

"Our family were severely affected, we had to see a doctor in resort to treat our symptoms and visit our doctor on return to the UK.

"We were very disappointed with the whole experience."

Georgia Humphries, from the travel law team at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, said: "The Latham family continue to suffer from symptoms of serious gastric illness.

"The history of illnesses and the complaints made about poor food and food hygiene point to the hotel being the likely source of their illnesses."

She added: "We are corresponding with Thomas Cook on behalf of the Latham family and have invited them to admit liability.

"We hope that a negotiated settlement of the claims will be achieved shortly, failing which Court proceedings will be commenced against Thomas Cook."

A spokesman for Thomas Cook said: "As a responsible tour operator, the health and safety of our customers is of paramount concern and the company were therefore naturally concerned to hear of Mr and Mrs Latham's complaints. We are currently carrying out a full investigation into all the points raised.

"The Latham party has instructed a solicitor and it would therefore be inappropriate to offer any further comment at this time."