A holidaymaker with a heart condition told how a dream holiday to the Dominican Republic was washed out because of his hotel's leaking roof, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Terry Priest, 60, who underwent a heart bypass operation more than ten years ago, paid 3,000 for a three-week holiday to the resort of Sosua.

But he and his wife Janet, 52, tried to book a flight home after only a week of their Caribbean break because they couldn't stand the constant torrent of rain dripping into the hotel.

Father-of-five Mr Priest, 60, a former paint-sprayer, told how: * He and his wife were forced to eat 'on the move' because of rain dripping into the dining room

* There was no hot water for eight days

* Rooms needed constant airing because they were damp and smelled musty

* A guest's waterlogged ceiling fell on her when she was on the toilet.

Mr Priest, of Emperor Gardens, Greater Leys, Oxford, said: "I certainly didn't need the stress. "We wanted to come home after a week but it wasn't possible. The hotel, called the Sol de Plata complex, which was on the north coast, was in a terrible condition and during the bad weather the roof leaked.

"The food was the worst I have ever eaten in the world and the Millennium celebrations on the night were a real damp squib. We were sitting round the pool and there were about 12 fireworks.

"When workmen were trying to fix the roof, they threw slates on to pathways below. They missed a woman by inches." Mr and Mrs Priest were so stressed out by their holiday that they took a three-day break in the Canary Islands shortly afterwards to recover.

"I enjoyed those three days much more than the three weeks," said Mr Priest.

The couple are now trying to get compensation from tour operator JMC, which organised the holiday.

After complaining at the hotel, they were given $150 dollars (100) and 60 each on their return.

Mr Priest added: "We paid almost 3,000 and we think JMC should at least pay for another holiday. "As far as they are concerned they have given us all the compensation we are going to get, but we don't think that is good enough."

A spokesman for JMC said: "After a settlement in April, we were unaware that the Priests were unhappy with what they were offered.

"Management at JMC will now review the case and contact them in the next seven days."