Defiant dad Alan Balkwell has started the new year with fresh hope after a law specialist joined his compensation fight following the death of his teenage son in a Turkey scooter smash.

Mr Balkwell, 44, said he was "over the moon" that Richard Hanson-James agreed to take up his case on a "no win, no fee" basis.

Since Daniel Balkwell, 16, died in the summer of 2003, his dad has fought to clear him of blame and as a result has forked out almost £20,000 in personal expenses and costs.

Mr Hanson-James won a £13,000 "compassionate" payout for Janine Clarke, 19, from Bournemouth, who last summer was badly hurt in a similar holiday crash to Daniel.

Chuffed Mr Balkwell, of Brownsea Road, Wickford, said: "This is a major boost. I know this guy is good, he has a proven track record."

More in today's Evening Echo