IT WAS the biggest food poisoning outbreak civic chiefs a Hampshire town had ever seen.

At least 100 diners were struck down by salmonella after eating at the Real China restaurant in Eastleigh in the summer of 2014.

Victims of the outbreak included a three-year-old girl and a man who said it was the worst illness he had ever experienced.

Three years ago a management company and one of its directors were told to pay more than £70,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to food hygiene offences.

Now 28 of the diners have received payouts totalling £275,000 after taking their case to specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell solicitors.

The firm has secured a settlement from the insurers of the restaurant, which has since closed down.

Amandeep Dhillon, head of Irwin Mitchell’s public health team, said: “While we are delighted to have secured our clients justice, our primary hope is that lessons have been learned.

“Food businesses must always ensure that food hygiene and the safety of consumers is their key concern.”

One of the victims, teacher Sarah Wilkins, 47, added: “The illness was absolutely horrendous and had a huge impact on my life.

“I needed a full week off work and, four years on, still suffer from symptoms including occasional bloating, discomfort and other issues which have been linked to my initial infection.”

In 2015 Malcolm Gibney, prosecuting on behalf of Eastleigh Borough Council, told Southampton Magistrates’ Court that the outbreak had involved 100 cases of salmonella.

He confirmed that no-one died but said a number of people were admitted to hospital as a result of the incident.

The company which ran the restaurant, Akkora Management, and one of its directors, Zudong Liu, had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to 15 offences of failing to comply with EU laws relating to food safety and hygiene.

Akkora was fined a total of £30,000 - £2,500 for each offence - and Liu was fined a total of £21,500.

They were also told to pay a total of £22,000 costs.

Speaking after the case a council spokesman said it was the biggest food poisoning outbreak the authority had ever seen.

One of the victims was George Williams, 20, of North Baddesley, who suffered “two weeks of hell” caused by vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

Speaking at the time he told the Daily Echo: “It’s definitely the worst illness I’ve ever had.”