Volunteers wanted for free holiday in return possibly for diarrhoea

A US company is offering free holidays in Mexico and Guatemala for volunteers on a diarrhoea drug programme.

Vaccine manufacturer Intercell is offering up to $1,500 (£938) to cover flights and accommodation. In return, the volunteers - being recruited in the UK and Germany - will wear vaccine patches, and give blood and faeces samples.

The trial is in a part of the world where travellers' diarrhoea is rife. A total of 1,800 volunteers are needed.

Intercell's clinical director, Nigel Thomas, said: "We are looking for people who have already planned to go to Mexico or Guatemala and think this would add another interesting aspect.

"It is almost like going on a package holiday. They will be met by a concierge who will take them to their hotel and arrange for them to give their first blood sample within 48 hours."

Volunteers will be discounted if they have already received a cholera or diarrhoea vaccine, or if they have already developed diarrhoea travelling in a developing country in the past year.