A Sussex skipper and the firm which organised a yacht trip which ended in tragedy faces a £1 million compensation claim from a woman whose husband died.

A second woman, who also lost her husband, is considering taking separate legal action against the skipper, Colin Jessey, who lives in Shoreham.

Sue Curry and Sheila Barwick were widowed after their husbands were killed when the Lone Signature yacht capsized at the mouth of the River Tyne in April, 1998.

The 46ft yacht had set off from the quayside at Newcastle-upon-Tyne despite stormy weather.

Mrs Curry, whose husband Peter was 44 when he died, has made the claim after Jessey was cleared of manslaughter following two trials last year.

York Crown Court heard the lack of expert evidence "fatally flawed" the prosecution case which meant it was impossible to tell if Jessey had been negligent.

The mother-of-one from Northumberland is also suing builders' merchants Matthew Charlton who invited her husband on the corporate hospitality trip.

Mrs Barwick, also of Northumberland, confirmed her solicitors were investigating grounds for a claim similar to Mrs Curry's.

Her husband, Alan, was 54 at the time of the accident.

A spokesperson for Matthew Charlton said: "We would like to make our position clear in respect of the claim brought by Mrs Curry. While we are deeply upset and feel very sympathetic and have expressed our regrets and condolences, the action brought by her has been and will continue to be strenuously defended.

"We have been advised there is no ground for accepting legal liability."

Jessey, 51, of Atlantic Court in Shoreham, was not available for comment.