LAWYERS are investigating a Bournemouth hotel after guests were struck down with a suspected strain of norovirus.

Two wedding parties were among those affected by an illness at Marsham Court Hotel in Russell Cotes Road last month.

Both brides and grooms, along with dozens of their guests, became violently ill after their wedding receptions, with one couple telling of how their honeymoon in Devon was ruined when they suffered sickness, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

Now some have taken on specialist lawyers to commence an investigation into the troubles at the three-star 87-room hotel, which was forced to close temporarily for deep cleaning.

Solicitors from Irwin Mitchell have begun making enquiries, and partner Amandeep Dhillon said: “We have heard a first-hand account from a guest who stayed at the Marsham Court Hotel regarding their illness.

“While it is undoubtedly welcome that steps were taken to try and protect further guests from being affected by the problems at the hotel, we are concerned about how these issues came to emerge in the first instance.

“In light of this being one of several major outbreaks to emerge in the UK in recent weeks, it is vital that everything possible is done to investigate how these issues developed and what if anything can be done to prevent the same problems re-occurring in the future.

“We are keen to hear from anyone else who may have stayed at the Marsham Court Hotel during this time who may be able to help us with our enquiries.”

Jennifer Pierce, 70, from Piddinghoe near Newhaven, was booked to stay at the hotel for four nights whilst attending the National Inner Wheel Association conference held at the Bournemouth International Centre. She left the hotel after just two days as it was closed down due to the illness problems.

Mrs Pierce recalls: “I was really frustrated when I started to feel unwell during my stay. I missed the conference due to the outbreak of illness, which was very disappointing.

“The illness has really taken it out of me and I still feel very lethargic more than a week on from my initial symptoms – I just don’t have the energy to do the things I would normally do.

“All I want to know is how I became affected by this and I would like some reassurances that other people will not go on to suffer the ordeal I have.”

Director Rosie Wallace, whose family owns the Marsham Court Hotel, said: "We have not heard directly from the complainant, only through their legal firm, and the matter is now in the hands of our insurance company.

"We are a family-run business and would like to give our heartfelt thanks to our many wonderful guests for their overwhelming support and understanding during what was an isolated sickness bug, the first outbreak at our lovely hotel in three decades."