A retired couple are suing Thomas Cook after their luxury holiday was wrecked by a bout of severe food poisoning.

They visited a four-star resort in Cuba to celebrate Michael Butler’s retirement.

But four days into the trip, his partner Patricia Butcher began suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.

The 68-year-old collapsed and fell unconscious in the bathroom of their hotel room and was rushed to hospital by taxi, where she was placed on a drip and prescribed antibiotics and painkillers.

“I am still affected by the symptoms I suffered in Cuba and I want to know how it happened and if more should have been done by Thomas Cook to stop holiday-makers falling ill” - Patricia Butcher

After being discharged from hospital, Ms Butcher suffered severe symptoms and was taken back in an ambulance.

Over the duration of the rest of their two-week break at the Iberostar Laguna Azul resort in October 2012, she was taken to hospital by emergency services twice more.

Once the couple returned to their home in Ridham Avenue, Kemsley, she continued to feel unwell and her weight dropped significantly.

The pair, who have been together for 40 years and have four children, lodged a complaint with Thomas Cook days after they flew home, but the travel agency denies responsibility.

Ms Butcher said: “It was absolutely awful, frightening.

“We were in a foreign country, there was a language barrier, and we felt we didn’t get that much support from anybody.

“I feel like we were completely let down by Thomas Cook.

“I put my trust in them and we were expecting to have a luxurious and relaxing two-week holiday, but instead we were left completely appalled by the experience.

“The last thing you expect when booking a holiday abroad is to be spending most of your time in a foreign hospital.

“I am still affected by the symptoms I suffered in Cuba and I want to know how it happened and if more should have been done by Thomas Cook to stop holiday-makers falling ill.”

“We can confirm that an apology was made directly to Ms Butcher in a letter to her dated February 6, 2013" - Thomas Cook

Mr Butler, 67, added: “We both feel let down and shocked by our experience in Cuba and hope that taking legal action will help us to gain the answers that we want as to what caused Patricia to fall ill.”

Solicitors Irwin Mitchell have taken up the case.

Nichola Blackburn, representing the couple, said their holiday had been ruined by the frequent trips to hospital.

She added: “We have now forwarded papers to court for legal proceedings to be issued on behalf of Patricia and Michael.

“Unless an out of court settlement can be achieved on satisfactory terms, these clients’ claims will be determined in court.”

Thomas Cook confirmed it was in discussions with the couple’s legal representatives.

A spokesman said: “We can confirm that an apology was made directly to Ms Butcher in a letter to her dated February 6, 2013.

“We are unable to provide further comment so as not to unduly compromise any potential legal proceedings.”