A holidaymaker who was struck down by a serious gastrointestinal infection whilst on a package holiday in Tunisia has won £3,000 in compensation.

Christine Niven, 65, had travelled to a hotel in Port el Kantaoui, Tunisia, with her husband and daughter, to celebrate the couple’s 43rd wedding anniversary. Nine days into the holiday, she became ill with diarrhoea, sickness and stomach cramps.

Tests later showed that she was suffering from cryptosporidiosis, an illness caused by a parasite that lives in soil, food and water. It is commonly contracted from drinking contaminated water or from swimming pools.

The microscopic parasite, cryptosporidium, can infect the bowels and cause severe sickness.

Whilst staying at the hotel, the family drank only bottled water but complained that the indoor pool smelled of sewage.

Not only did the illness ruin Mrs Niven’s holiday but the symptoms also persisted for several weeks afterwards.

Mrs Niven brought a claim against Thomas Cook, the holiday provider, and received £3,000 in compensation for her ordeal.