A company and its general manager will be prosecuted for the death of student Simon Jones, who was crushed by a crane at Shoreham Harbour.

Sussex University student Mr Jones, 24, of Brighton, was on his first day of work in a ship's hold when the crane's grab crushed his head, almost decapitating him, on April 24 1998.

His family has fought a year-long legal battle to prosecute Euromin, which owned the quay, and its general manager, James Martell.

Director of Public Prosecutions David Calvert-Smith QC, said today he had decided to prosecute for manslaughter by gross negligence.

He said Mr Martell and Euromin would be summonsed.

Colin Chalmers, who has campaigned for the prosecution, said: "We have been campaigning for this for the last two years and I am sure the family are delighted. We are overjoyed at this result."

Mr Calvert-Smith said: "I have looked long and hard at the evidence and taken further advice from two Queen's Counsel.

"After detailed consideration of all the issues involved, I have decided there is sufficient evidence to prosecute."

The decision follows a ruling in March by the Divisional Court that the Crown Prosecution Service should reconsider its earlier decision not to prosecute.

Mr Martell was unavailable for comment.