A family of four claim to have suffered a 'holiday from hell' after booking an inclusive two-week trip to Portugal. Paula and Louis East, of Riverside Way, Kelvedon, are now considering legal action after returning home from the Algarve.

They list a catalogue of horrors at the Praia da Rocha resort, a trip booked with holiday firm Sunworld through Intatravel at Witham.

In a damning catalogue of complaints about the £2,000 holiday the couple allege:

a hotel resembling a cross between a prison block and a stalag;

a 'filthy' room;

'appalling' food;

a walk across a busy dual carriageway to get to the beach;

a 'cramped' flight to the resort;

'off-hand' travel representatives;

'stinking' toilets.

Mum Paula, a 38-year-old legal secretary, said she and graphic designer husband Louis, 47, had been looking forward to their holiday in the sun with children Daisy five, and Christopher, four, for months.

"Neither of us had been abroad for 15 years," she said. "We had saved long and hard for this holiday. We dreamed about it but it turned into a nightmare.

"I am just so angry and upset that we spent all that money getting to the resort then were forced to spend more just getting out of the place."

Paula estimates that the family spent at least another £1,000 to eat and spend time away from the Clube Praia da Rocha hotel.

"At the very least we want an apology from Intatravel and Sunworld," she said. "This was our big holiday and it turned into a holiday from hell. Now we've got nothing to look forward to."

A spokeswoman for Intatravel said: "The customer's complaints have been passed on to our head office and I'm afraid we cannot make any further comment at this stage."

A Sunworld spokeswoman said: "Sunworld was extremely sorry to hear that Mrs East was disappointed with certain aspects of her holiday.

"To date we have not received a formal letter of complaint from Mrs East and have not therefore had the opportunity to resolve this situation to her satisfaction.

"Although we are always willing and keen to find an amicable outcome for all parties involved,'' she added.

"We can ensure Mrs East that an immediate investigation into the nature of her complaint will be launched upon receipt of a formal letter."

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