The couple flew to the Canary Islands to celebrate their wedding anniversary, but became victims of bedbugs (6 photos)

A couple's Canary Islands holiday to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary was ruined by bedbugs. Julie and Stephen Mayhew counted around 100 bites on themselves. The Brits were deprived of the opportunity to sunbathe and enjoy entertainment.





In June, the couple paid £1,600 for 11 days at the four-star Resort Fuerteventura Origo Mare on the island of Fuerteventura.

Julie, 50, said: "It was absolutely horrific. We had never seen or experienced bedbugs before. It was late at night when we got to our room. I saw a bug on the bed but I just removed it because I didn't know what it was. Then I saw more crawling out of the headboard. I was terrified."

The woman went to the hotel store and bought bug spray.



The couple complained to the hotel staff. But they only changed the bed linen, and within a few days the tourists were almost completely covered in rashes and bites.

"I went to the doctor and he said I had an allergic reaction. At the time, I didn't know they were bedbug bites. It was only when I posted a photo on WhatsApp that my friends said they might be bedbugs."





A British woman reported bedbugs to tour operator Jet2 Holidays, but her problem remained unresolved.

"They didn't believe me. They said there had never been bedbugs in the hotel."



"You don't feel it when you're bitten, but then it breaks out in a rash and it's really itchy. I haven't been out in the sun for the last five days and we've had to cancel our trips. It's ruined our holiday and I don't want anyone else to go through this," Mayhew added.

A West Yorkshire couple is suing Jet2 Holidays.



Lawyer Oliver Linton of the Holiday Claims Bureau said: "The plaintiffs suffered bedbug bites due to the failure to clean their room properly. We have received sufficient evidence from Mr and Mrs Mayhew to prove breach of duty and breach of contract."