A BUDGET airline is refusing to reimburse an anorexic Hampshire teenager who saved up for a sunshine holiday – only to be told she was too ill to travel.

Gemma Hill lost almost a third of her body weight and was forced to cancel a trip to Spain after experts warned that her condition was life-threatening.

But the 15-year-old’s disappointment at being grounded turned to anger after Ryanair rejected pleas to refund her £120 fare.

Mum Claire Hill (pictured), of Dibden Purlieu, said: “Gemma was looking forward to the trip but was referred by her GP to the Hampshire Specialist Eating Disorders Team and diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.

“We were strongly advised that she shouldn’t travel because she was suffering from what they described as a life-threatening illness.

“The team sent two e-mails to Ryanair stressing the seriousness of Gemma’s case. They explicitly said it would not be in her best interests to go on holiday as it might impede her recovery.”

Gemma’s illness was diagnosed last month after her weight plummeted from 9st 2lb to 6st 13lbs in a matter of weeks.

Air travel is considered dangerous for someone who is seriously underweight.

But Ryanair is refusing to refund Gemma’s £120, even though it has the discretion to reimburse a passenger who is suffering from a serious illness that makes travel impossible.

Mrs Hill said: “It’s bitterly disappointing that in this case anorexia nervosa is being treated without any understanding or compassion.

“It would have been of some comfort if an appreciation of the illness and its potential repercussions was shown to a young girl who had saved up to pay for her ticket.

“It’s not so much the money as the principle.”

Gemma, a pupil at Noadswood School, Dibden Purlieu, was due to fly to Santa Susanna on June 16 for a week’s holiday with a friend and the girl’s parents.

She said: “It took me several months to get the money for my air fare and I was quite upset when Ryanair refused to give me a refund following my diagnosis.

“They’re a big company and £120 is nothing to them – but to a 15-year-old it’s a big deal.”

A Ryanair spokesman said tickets were non-refundable.

He added: “In this instance the customer was offered the opportunity to change their flight dates upon payment of our flight change fee and advised to contact their travel insurer.”

Charities stopped short of criticising Ryanair when approached by the Daily Echo but did urge airlines to “consider the seriousness” of eating disorders when applying rules and regulations.

A Beating Eating Disorders (b-eat) spokesman cited Ryanair’s refund policy, which says a passenger can be reimbursed at the company’s discretion if they develop a serious illness that makes it impossible for them to travel.

The spokesman added: “Anyone suffering from an eating disorder should seek medical advice before travelling.

“We would also urge companies to take into account the seriousness of eating disorders when forming policies that address the health of customers.”