Law company Irwin Mitchell has taken on the case of five family members who claim they suffered gastric symptoms during a five-star holiday in Mexico.

Katie Richards, 33, and husband Ashley Richards, 34, from Derby, stayed at the Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort and Spa in Cancun in July this year with their six-year-old daughter to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. 

They were joined on the two-week trip by other family members, including Katie’s parents Alison Whitmore, 60 and Philip Whitmore, 61, forming a party of 10.

The family told Irwin Mitchell Katie began to feel unwell on 26 July, six days after arriving, suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Within three days, Ashley and their daughter and nephew had also fallen ill, with Ashley bed-bound for part of the holiday.

Alison and Philip started to feel unwell on 28 July.  By the following day, both had diarrhoea and complained of tiredness, sweating and stomach pains.  They were bed-bound for three days.

Katie and Ashley said their symptoms continued on return to the UK and Alison and Philip have also spoken with a doctor regarding ongoing symptoms with Philip being informed he tested positive for Cyclospora, a pathogen that can be contracted by drinking unclean water or eating food that has not been cooked thoroughly or washed with clean water.

Solicitor Nadhia Akthar said: “Our clients understandably have many questions regarding their illness and we’re now investigating these.

“We would be interested in speaking to anyone who may have been impacted by illness at this hotel who would be able to assist with our investigations.”

A spokesperson for TUI UK, which booked the holiday for the family, said: “We’re very sorry to hear about the Richards family’s experience at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort and Spa in Mexico.

“As this is now a legal matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. 

“We’d like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all of our hotels in respect to health and safety, including hygiene.”