A court has heard how a woman's life was altered dramatically when she was struck down by food poisoning after eating a warm chicken liver and beetroot salad during an evening out.

Tracey Rae said she had "a lovely meal" with her husband and friends but was later hit by severe sweats, stomach cramps and nausea.

Ms Rae of Falkirk, suffered pain, diarrhoea and began to pass blood. A doctor later diagnosed her with Campylobacter infection. She was then found to have developed irritable bowel syndrome and is still living with the consequences almost seven years after the meal, she told the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

The 44-year-old had gone out for an evening with her husband and two other couples to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society on Giles Street in Leith, Edinburgh, in April 2009.

Ms Rae said she and a friend had the same starter, a chicken liver salad. She said she had felt fine the following day and went to bed that night thinking she was "a bit tired" but woke up the next morning feeling ill.

She told the court that before giving evidence on Tuesday she had eaten a banana the previous morning and since then had only consumed medication and water.

The mother-of-two said she now has a gluten and dairy free diet, adding: "I can't have any alcohol and I can't have any caffeine."

Ms Rae said she had experienced pain and other continuing problems.

She said: "I am far more anxious than I was before. The children probably missed out on quite a lot. I was reluctant to go on holidays.

"We didn't go out for meals and things because I found it quite stressful."

Counsel Dana Forbes told jurors: "Chicken liver carries a particularly high risk of this type of bacteria, although it can be easily killed by proper cooking."

She said after six months her client was diagnosed with post-infection irritable bowel syndrome, adding: "It is likely to be permanent, as are its symptoms."

Ms Forbes said: "There is no treatment for her condition. All she can do is to try and minimise her symptoms. At home she has to make one meal for herself and a separate meal for her family."

She said Ms Rae does not visit friends' homes as often as previously and while going to restaurants was once fun and enjoyable it has now become "complicated and stressful".

Ms Rae has raised an action suing caterer James Freeman for damages. Mr Freeman's company Saffron was responsible for catering at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

At the beginning of the civil trial the jury was told liability in the action had been admitted and they would have to assess the level of compensation to be awarded for the pain and suffering caused, as well as other issues.

Ms Rae's senior counsel will address the jury further on damages later in proceedings. The hearing continues before judge Lord Pentland.