A mum-of-two’s mystery death in Dubai is being linked to a series of suspected food poisoning incidents in the holiday spot.

A daily newspaper in the Middle Eastern resort is now investigating whether 43-year-old Helen Illingworth’s sudden death is one of a spate of similar deaths in recent months believed to be caused by a food bug.

Dubai’s 7DAYS reporter, Nichola Jones, said a few of those tragic deaths – including those of two children – “seemed to have been put down to food poisoning” and the municipality, Dubai’s council, is investigating.

Mrs Illingworth’s husband Neil, now back home in Shelf with their children Hannah, 16, and Mark, 18, said the food poisoning theory was “another possibility”.

The subject of bad food hygiene in Dubai restaurants and shopping mall eateries is a top topic on internet forums.

Mr Illingworth said: “We are all guessing at the moment. It’s just another possibility but it’s worth considering. I hope it won’t be what killed Helen because if it is, it’s even more of a waste of her life.”