A group of almost 300 holidaymakers has settled damages claims over bouts of gastric illness suffered on holiday in the Dominican Republic.

The 292 claimants fell ill at a Bahia Maimon hotel near Puerto Plata between November 2005 and September 2006.

Counsel Matthew Chapman told the High Court nine claimants had settled their cases against Thomas Cook a year ago.

Some 283 had now reached agreement with fellow tour operator TUI UK on confidential terms, Mr Chapman added.

The claimants - 39 of them children - had fallen ill while staying on all-inclusive packages at a hotel complex in the Caribbean country.

Mr Chapman told Mrs Justice Thirlwall in London that the principal battle ground in the action was whether the illness was caused by a food-borne or drink-borne infection, or a virus.

The judge approved the settlement of the action, which had been scheduled for a 10-day trial.

Source: BBC NEWS