A WIDOW from Beaconsfield is taking her late husband's employer to the High Court over an outstanding insurance payout.

Gillian Wade claims Southampton firm Active Navigation did not tell husband Andrew he was fully insured.

The dad-of-four died in September 2003 from pneumonia, 13 months after starting at the firm as executive director of sales.

His widow was given a service benefit cheque for £260,000 - but she claims the couple believed the full Legal and General salary cover was for £376,932.

One of their four children, Oliver, is severely mentally impaired and needs 24-hour one-to-one care, says Mrs Wade, of Wilton Road.

A writ filed at the High Court says the firm failed to countersign or return a letter accepting full salary cover.

It then failed to send a confirmatory note or increase its premium payments to include the extra £2,455.57 a year needed to cover him, it says.

Despite repeated requests for the money, the balance remains outstanding, she claims.

She accuses Active, of Venture Road, Chilworth Science Park, Southampton, of negligence in failing to use reasonable care and skill in taking steps to arrange for full salary cover.

It is also accused of failing to warn the couple that the cover might not have been arranged.

Mr Wade's salary was £94,233 with a performance related bonus of £70,000.