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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
James McNeill & Ryan Merrifield

Disabled mum 'felt Pontin's manager's spit on her face' during row over family holiday

A disabled mum said she could feel spit hitting her face as a holiday manager shouted at her.

Lynsey Halliday and her family travelled six hours to Brean Sands Pontin's in Burnham-on-Sea to be told the cabin they'd booked was actually under maintenance and couldn't be used.

The 39-year-old said staff offered the party unsuitable replacements which didn't cater for her needs and were allegedly told "take this or just go home".

Lynsey, from Norris Green, Liverpool, said when she challenged the decision a manager "came out like a bulldog right into my face", reports the Liverpool Echo.

She explained: "He was so close to my face that when he spoke I could feel his spit on my face and it was really intimidating.

"I said 'we have driven all this way and you're telling us you either take this or go home'."

Lynsey said the party-of-six was offered two single bed apartments (google.com/maps)

Lynsey and her mum are both disabled and with the eight birth cabin unavailable they were offered two one-bed apartments for six of them.

It would have meant Lynsey having to sleep on a sofa, which would have been not possible due to her condition.

She was diagnosed with chronic juvenile arthritis at the age of 14 and had major knee surgery in January.

The group - also consisting of Lynsey's son, Dylan, 11, parents, brother and his daughter - had arrived after a long drive on Monday evening.

Lynsey and her son Dylan (Lynsey Halliday)

"I explained that I was disabled and my mum was disabled and was there nothing else they could offer us maybe something with two bedrooms," she said.

The young female employee went to speak to her manager before relaying his message that if they didn't want the alternative to go.

Lynsey said there was no apology and she responded "pardon", before asking if she could speak to the manager directly.

The girl then started crying, resulting in the manager charging out to confront the baffled mum, she explained.

"The manager came out like a bulldog right into my face and said 'you've just made that girl cry'.

"I explained that I was sorry if she is upset but I just asked for the manager."

Lynsey said the manager walked away before returning with a security guard and told her the family was being evicted.

She claimed another family was also being told to leave and multiple guests were in reception lodging complaints.

Lynsey said she'd never book there again (Hadyn Iball / North Wales Live)

She continued: "I imagine the staff must have had the day from hell with people complaining but when you book a holiday you expect everything to be right.

"It was a childhood holiday we had always been on.

"My son has struggled the most because his dad is not around and he is very protective of me.

"He started trying to lash out and my mum had to hold is arms down.

"I had to take him out because he was just in a state.

"He was sat there clenching his firsts, shaking and balling his eyes out."

Lynsey and her brother used to holiday in Pontins often, usually for two-week stints, and she hoped for a similar experience 30 years on.

She said she "cried all night" after leaving and the family have since stayed in two hotels costing an additional £424, on top of the £240 forked out for Pontins.

"After this, I would never book there again. Never," she added.

The Mirror has contacted Pontins owner Britannia Hotels for comment.

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