Children found dead in Corfu hotel room

Two British children have been found dead in a hotel room in Corfu, Greek police said today.

The seven-year-old girl and six-year-old boy were found by a cleaner in their room in a five-star hotel in Gouvia, on the island's eastern coast.

Their father, 38, and 28-year-old mother were found in a coma and were taken to hospital, where they were said to be in a serious condition.

Police said today that preliminary tests indicated poisoning may have been involved.

The family were staying at the resort for a week's holiday during half-term on one of the most popular Greek islands for holidaying Britons.

The family were on holiday with tour operator Thomas Cook which said the incident took place at the Louis Corcyra hotel.

"We have no more details at the moment. We are waiting to hear from the hospital in Corfu," said a spokeswoman for the company.

The hotel is on Gouvia Bay and is set in lush gardens, with five beaches. It is five miles from Corfu airport and about the same distance from Corfu town.

The hotel underwent a series of extensive renovations during winter 2001.

A recent visitor to the Louis Corcyra hotel, from Suffolk, told the TripAdvisor website they were disappointed with the hotel and described their room as "shabby".

The visitor said: "The surrounding area of Gouvia is a dump. Full of tacky souvenir shops and crumbly bars, kids on mopeds and neon lighting.

"On paper, the hotel Louis Corcyra looked and sounded good, the reality was in fact extremely disappointing."