A FORMER prisoner-of-war's life savings are trickling away every minute he lies stricken in a Spanish hospital.

Second World War veteran Bernard Boyle, 81, from Middlesbrough, was holidaying with his wife Marjorie in Benidorm when he suffered a suspected heart attack.

He now lies critically ill in a private hospital with the cost of his treatment spiralling out of control.

The family's despair has been deepened because a mix-up over the couple's holiday insurance means they are not covered for bills in excess of £11,000.

Last night, their son Brendan, who is preparing to fly out to Spain, urged other would-be tourists to double-check they have adequate cover before venturing abroad.

He said: "It is a total nightmare. Dad recently received an ex-gratia payment from the Government of £10,000 for the three years he spent as a Japanese PoW - and that's been swallowed up now in less than three days."

Mr and Mrs Boyle, of Parkfield Avenue, Middlesbrough, had been staying at the Hotel Marina in Benidorm during a two-week holiday.

Mr Boyle, who is registered blind, collapsed last Monday and was rushed into the nearest hospital, where he is awaiting an operation to fit a permanent pacemaker, which could take place today.

He is now being fed through a tube and doctors have said it is too dangerous to attempt to fly him back to Britain in an air ambulance.

The couple's holiday insurance policy has been invalidated because Mrs Boyle mistakenly failed to include on the form details of her husband's existing heart condition.

And they have been unable to fall back on the standard E111 form, which should allow Britons holidaying within the European Union free healthcare if they fall ill, because under the strict terms of the Spanish health service, refunds of private patient charges are rarely given.

The family argued that Mr Boyle was in a life-and-death situation and had no choice but to be taken to the nearest hospital, which happened to be private.

Brendan Boyle, a planner with Darlington Borough Council, has had to take out a personal loan of £15,000 to help cover the medical costs.

"My mother has some life savings, but the rate things are going they will quickly be swallowed up," he said.

"She is distraught, and it is very distressing for all of us, including my sister, Maria, who has already gone out there.

"My mum and dad did what thousands of pensioners probably do and took out insurance without reading the small print.

"They also thought they had the E111 as a back-up, but neither of them are of any use in these circumstances.

"As far as my parents were concerned they were well covered. It should serve as a warning to others."

The family is now seeking help from the Foreign Office and the British Consulate in Spain.

Emma Leyland, spokeswoman for Airtours, the Boyles' tour operator, said: "Our rep has been there every day this week to offer assistance should it be needed. We have also paid for a flight for the Boyles' daughter to Spain."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office confirmed that consulate staff are aware of the case and are in contact with Mr Boyle's family.

The Foreign Office advises people to take out full private insurance cover for medical treatment and accidents in case they are taken to a private hospital, to back up cover afforded by the E111 form