Hundreds of holidaymakers are to be compensated after a major illness outbreak at a foreign holiday ruined their trip.

Thomas Cook Tour Operations admitted liability for the outbreak and will pay compensation to more than 450 guests who were affected while staying at the Bahia Principe Hotel in the Dominican Republic.

Ian Taylor, his wife and Amanda and their three children were among the families who became ill during their stay. All suffered diarrhoea and sickness, while two of the children were put on drips at a local clinic.

One of the children was later diagnosed with cryptosporidium which, according to the Health Protection Agency, is a protozoan parasite commonly affecting children aged between one and five years old.

Mr Taylor told the Yorkshire Post: "It was a holiday from hell."

Other illnesses suffered by holidaymakers during the trip included salmonella, campylobacter, shigella and giardia.