The wife of a man who died in Maldon's Marine Lake is continuing to sue Maldon District Council for compensation.

Last week, a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court found the council guilty of failing to ensure the safety of the public at the lake following the death of Kevin Gay two years ago, a charge which the council denied.

It has been ordered to pay a fine of £75,000, which is likely to be funded by the taxpayer in the form of an additional £1 council tax for every home in the district and legal costs of £125,000.

Mr Gay, a 47-year-old father of two from Shoeburyness, died after hitting his head on a submerged post in the Promenade Park attraction. His widow Pamela Gay is now pursuing a civil claim against the council.

Her solicitor Anthony Mitty said: "The outcome of the case will reinforce the strength of the civil claim for compensation which she will continue to pursue. At this stage, for legal reasons, I am unable to say what stage the civil case has reached."