A COUPLE told how their Millennium holiday was ruined by builders drilling for ten hours a day on the floor below them.

Evelyn and John Aspel, both 60, from Headington, Oxford, said their two-week holiday at the Ambassador Playa hotel in Benidorm, on Spain's Costa del Sol, was ruined.

The day before they were due to travel, they had received a letter from the booking agency telling them the work would be carried out, but only until 2pm.

"We decided to go anyway," said Mrs Aspel. "But when we arrived, the noise was terrible. We wanted to go home early but were told we would have to pay for another flight.

"We have been to the same hotel about three times a year for the past 11 years. We love the place. The staff were upset about what happened so they have invited us back. We will give them another chance and go there again later in the year."

Mrs Aspel said travel firm JMC gave them 400 compensation because their 1,800 holiday had been spoilt. But she added: "400 was not a great deal considering how much we had paid."

JMC said: "We are very sorry. In April, the couple accepted our offer of compensation and at no time since have they contacted us to express their disappointment."

They said the Aspels could pursue their claim through the independent arbitration scheme run by ABTA.