Cory was left with a rash all over his body (Picture: Cory Gardner/SWNS)

A tourist has been left with horrific side effects after being bitten by bedbugs in France.

Cory Gardner was on holiday with his partner Olivia Wood in September, spending two days each in Paris and Lyon and returning home without incident.

But days after he returned home to Bridgend, Wales, he started itching all over.

Last month, fears of a bedbug infestation in France became widespread – and there were even concerns holidaymakers could bring the creepy crawlies back to the UK with them and infest the London Underground.

Cory, 26, went to see his GP who said he was suffering with chickenpox, but Cory wanted a second opinion and forked out £300 for a private consultation.

The consultant told him the bites were from bedbugs, and the reaction spread across his whole body.

Cory, a builder, said: ‘It was absolutely unbearable. I was itching all over my body.

‘It got worse every day – there were big red marks like a massive rash and it itched all the time.

He spent four days in France with his partner (Picture: Cory Gardner/SWNS)

Cory also suffered flu-like symptoms (Picture: Cory Gardner/SWNS)

‘And I got flu-like symptoms. Like I was hot and cold with fever.

‘It’s very uncomfortable and irritable and I haven’t been able to go out. I barely slept for two weeks. That’s horrible and made me feel so sick.

‘This has definitely put me off sleeping in other beds and I wouldn’t go to France again.’

Cory says his partner was also bitten during the trip, but thankfully didn’t have such an extreme reaction.

However, weeks after returning from their trip he still has a rash covering much of his body, although it is less severe than before.

‘This has definitely put me off sleeping in other beds and I wouldn’t go to France again.’