A toddler from Carshalton is among hundreds of British holidaymakers to have fallen ill with salmonella food poisoning at a Turkish hotel.

Lola Tierney, aged three, needed hospital treatment for the bug after returning from the Holiday Village complex in the popular Sarigerme resort.

Irwin Mitchell, a firm of solicitors, is now seeking compensation for her parents, Kevin and Victoria, plus 140 other tourists whose trips were ruined.

Victoria, 36, said: “It was really scary to see a three year old completely lifeless when she is normally running around and full of energy.

“Lola went through 40 nappies and lost about 5lb, as all she could keep down was water.

"It was just lucky for us that she responded to treatment.”

Clive Garner, head of travel litigation at Irwin Mitchell, said: “The history of illness at this hotel is simply indefensible.

"Despite salmonella being confirmed for the past four years, the tour operator First Choice has allowed people to travel there and now, once again, we are seeing large numbers of guests struck down with Salmonella food poisoning.

"So far this summer, we have begun legal action for over 140 guests but, from previous experience of claims at this hotel and many others, we fear this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

First Choice said only an “exceptionally low” proportion of guests were affected and that independent auditors had praised the hotel’s hygiene standards.

A spokeswoman added: “We are always genuinely sorry to hear about any of our guests feeling unwell and the health and safety of customers is our primary focus.

“Infections such as salmonella are communicable diseases and UK GPs and hospitals are obliged to report all cases to a central body and these are then communicated to the relevant establishment.

"First Choice has not been contacted by any NHS committees or environmental health agency about this property.”

Have you been stricken with food poisoning? Let us know at suttonguardian.co.uk