HOLIDAYMAKERS from the North-East have been caught up in an outbreak of food poisoning at a luxury hotel in the Dominican Republic.

In a statement released over the weekend, the country's public health minister, Bautista Rojas, confirmed that the presence of a "non-lethal bacteria" had been detected at the four-star Bahia Principe San Juan.

He also said that the outbreak of illness was caused by the ingestion of some dressing in the hotel's food.

A spokesman for Irwin Mitchell solicitors, which is acting on behalf of more than 400 guests at the hotel, said holidaymakers from the region had been affected by the outbreak, but was unable to confirm exact numbers.

Clive Garner, head of travel law at the legal firm, said yesterday: "I am not surprised by the findings of the Dominican Republic authorities.

"Many of our clients have reported unacceptable health and hygiene conditions in the hotel. Obviously, an outbreak of food poisoning is highly likely in these circumstances."

He added: "These latest findings by the public health department in the Dominican Republic, together with the laboratory findings of Giardia Lamblia among some of our clients, point to a major breakdown in health and hygiene standards at the Bahia Principe.

"I question why guests have been sent to this hotel in the recent past, when the risk to guests' health should have been evident.

"The latest findings also seem to cast doubt on statements made on behalf of tour operators, in which the norovirus has been suggested as the cause of the outbreak.

"We will be inviting representatives of tour operators to enter early negotiations with a view to agreeing substantial compensation for all of our clients."