Mr Ronnie Dunbar of Praetorian Drive organised a surprise holiday on the Ocean Village cruise for his partner Pearl's 50th birthday in December 2007, and described the first ten days of the holiday as fantastic.

But one morning while sunbathing with Pearl before going to breakfast, he put his feet on the deck where instantly the skin burnt, and both feet were stuck to the floor.

Ronnie, 53, who served in the British Army for six years told the News Guardian how when he first sought medical advice on the ship he was turned away because the staff didn't think it was an emergency.

He said: "I went to turn off the sunbed and my two feet stuck to the deck. I had to rip them off as fast as I could and straight away knew I needed to get medical assistance.

"I was helped down to the medical centre and when they took a look they said it wasn't an emergency and to come back later."

Eventually two of the barmen who knew Ronnie helped him with some bandages but later that night when his partner Pearl checked on the wounds, she passed out at the sight of the burns and they had to seek more medical advice.

It emerged Ronnie had severe burns and also had an infection from them and spent the remainder of his holiday on a drip before returning to Wallsend on Boxing Day.

He travelled straight to North Tyneside Hospital where he was referred to the burns unit at the RVI, and after six operations was given the news that his left leg was to be amputated on June 17.

Ronnie said: "When the doctor told me the news I just froze. I didn't really have time to think about it to be honest.

"No one can believe it when I tell them what has happened."

Ronnie, who is now unemployed, describes himself as independent, but has had to move a bed into the conservatory of his home and is spending several months in a wheelchair while his other foot heals properly.

He said: "I go and see my friends at the Wallsend Labour Club all of the time and play dominoes - that is what keeps me going.

"There is a possibility of getting a new leg but I might have to have another operation so we will just see."

A spokesperson for Ocean Village said: "We are keen to obtain the full details relating to this case from Mr Dunbar's solicitors so that we can fully investigate and understand what happened.

"Unfortunately, Mr Dunbar's solicitors are not responding to our requests.

"Once we receive the information, we'll be able to thoroughly assess the situation and hopefully make some progress.

"The welfare of our passengers is of paramount importance to us, so we are keen to establish exactly what happened as soon as we are given the missing information."