A MAN'S gastric complaint while on holiday quickly developed into a devastating illness which led to him losing the use of his legs.

Charles Jackson, from Stainton, near Middlesbrough, is learning to walk again after falling seriously ill during a coach tour holiday in Cyprus.

The retired fireman started to suffer from diarrhoea and fatigue a few days into his trip to the island, at the start of December.

He and his wife Julie, 65, stayed at the Sea Life Hotel in Famagusta for the first few days at the start of the holiday before moving to the Bellapais Monastery Village.

His symptoms continued on his return to the UK and Mr Jackson, a father of two, went to see his GP.

Tests confirmed that the 66-year-old had developed campylobacter and E-coli, but matters took a dramatic turn when he started to lose the use of his legs.

He was admitted to The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on December 19 and diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare condition that affects the nerves and can lead to paralysis.

It is a painful condition and can also cause difficulties swallowing and breathing.

Mr Jackson spent about ten weeks in hospital and has now enlisted lawyers from Irwin Mitchell to fight for answers.

He started to feel ill just days into the holiday, which began on December 1.

On his return home he started to feel tingling and pins and needles in his legs and feet, then began to lose feeling in them and collapsed.

The Northern Echo:

He said: “It has been an incredibly difficult few months and I have had to work to get the use of my hands and arms back. At one point it looked like I might have to have a tracheostomy and I might lose my voice – it was a nightmare.

"At the start of my illness my legs did not feel like they belonged to me and I felt trapped in my own body.

“I was due to go and see my son and grandchildren in Australia over Christmas and it has not been possible to do that because I was in hospital. I am glad to be home, but I am still working hard every day to try and improve the movement in my legs as it feels as though my muscles have wasted away. I simply cannot believe how this has happened. I feel I am clearly entitled to some answers and I want to know whether this nightmare could have been avoided. My only hope is that it might prevent anyone else suffering like I have.”