handling of the epidemic that struck down hundreds of guests two weeks ago.

Attorney Arthur Levine, who runs a practice in Boston, Massachusetts, is representing nine guests who are demanding compensation after being hit by the bug.

Mr. Levine is filing a complaint to a Massachusetts court which claims that the hotel was negligent and deceived his clients, all of whom were staying at the hotel to take part in the Lobster Pot golf tournament.

The complaint reads: "Due to the negligence of the defendant the water supply at the Castle Marriott resort was contaminated. As a result of the defendant's negligence each plaintiff was caused to suffer injury including but not limited to physical pain and emotional suffering, medical expenses, lost earning capacity and out of pocket loss.

Hotel faces lawsuit Mr. Levine did not speculate on what sort of costs his clients were seeking.

But he did say that he expected a lot more complainants to come forward willing to sue.

"The final figures will be up to a jury to decide,'' he said. "But if I had been at the hotel I certainly wouldn't be asking for just a couple of dollars.

"We are not doing this just for nuisance value. You must understand my clients' distaste for the Marriott because of the horrendous, deceitful manner in which they were treated.'' Mr. Levine also condemned health boss Dr. John Cann for his role in the affair.

Dr. Cann has insisted that a virus and not the hotel's water was responsible for spreading the outbreak -- even though he knew a leaking sewage pipe had been found at the hotel, bacteria had been found in the water supply and the vast majority of victims had drunk hotel water.

"This man is an embarrassment,'' Mr. Levine said. "He said that this was probably caused by a virus, which is complete nonsense.

"But what gives him the right to sit in judgment and say that the hotel is not to blame when they still haven't got test results back confirming what caused the spread?'' Last night hotel management could not be contacted to discuss the situation.

COURTS CTS HEALTH HTH