EAST Lancashire holiday company Airtours is facing one of the country's first legal actions against deep vein thrombosis.

A holidaymaker is suing the Rossendale-based company after she developed DVT -- a serious blood clot -- during a 12-hour flight from Acapulco, Mexico, to Manchester.

Penny Calcutt, 52, claims the clots were a direct result of the long haul flight.

The former barmaid, from Sheffield, said she was refused a seat with extra leg room after she injured her leg with four days left of her holiday.

When she arrived back at in Sheffield, she went straight to the local hospital where blood tests determined she had clots and she underwent surgery.

An Airtours spokesman said: "The matter is in the hands of our solicitors and we are unable to comment further."

Mrs Calcutt is among more than 20 DVT victims suing various airlines.

A spokesperson for Collins solicitors of Watford, who represent the group, said the case would set a precedent for the whole of Europe.

It is hoped the first cases in the group action will be heard by the High Court in November.