A British tourist has died of suspected food poisoning at a luxury hotel at Lake Garda, northern Italy.

Geoffrey Appleyard, 71, from Evesham in Worcs, died early on Sunday after falling ill after dinner hours earlier.

Police have yet to establish a link between the poisoning and his death. A post mortem examination was being held.

About 30 other Britons at the Grand Hotel at Gardone Riviera fell ill and health officials probing its kitchens believe salmonella is a likely cause.

And 16 of those affected are still recovering in three different hospitals around Brescia.

They have been suffering severe vomiting and diarrhoea, although the British consul in Milan says they are not thought to be in any further danger.

Those taken ill were part of a tour group of 300 people visiting the hotel.

Health officials investigating the outbreak say they suspect the fish the guests had been served, but are still analysing samples taken from the hotel kitchen.

The kitchen was closed by the health authorities pending further investigations.

The four-star hotel was once a favourite destination for Winston Churchill who would often sit and paint the lake.