THE family of a girl who drowned at a leisure centre two years ago watched yesterday as the council responsible for the swimming pool was fined £20,000.

Sedgefield Borough Council was ordered to pay the maximum fine after it admitted failing to ensure the public's safety on the day of the tragedy.

Magistrates heard that only one lifeguard was on duty on September 22, 2001, when Anne-Marie Readshaw, of Ferryhill, County Durham, died at Spennymoor Leisure Centre.

Health and Safety guidelines stated that at least two people should have been watching the pool.

After the case, Anne-Marie Readshaw's family vowed to press ahead with civil action against the council.

Grandmother Kath Conroy said: "We are pleased that the maximum fine had been imposed because it shows how seriously safety should be taken.

"Because of the investigation into Anne-Marie's death, the council now has new, improved safety procedures in place which is the one good thing to come out of all of this."

Parents Iain, 37, and Marie, 32, who have four other children, said nothing could make up for the loss of their 13-year-old daughter.

She was swimming with friends when one, Sarah Cornbill, noticed her lying motionless at the bottom of the pool. Sarah dragged her to the side of the pool but all efforts to revive the youngster failed.

Mrs Readshaw said: "Nothing can make us feel better, we still need answers about why no one was watching the pool and why a little girl was the one who tried to save Anne-Marie. Her friend was a hero that day, but she shouldn't have been the one trying to save her."

Mrs Conroy added: "We will go ahead with civil proceedings to try and get answers."

The council's chief executive Norman Vaulks, said: "We are talking to our legal advisors about the outcome of today's case and therefore it would be inopportune to comment at this stage."

Bishop Auckland magistrates also ordered the council to pay costs of £7,242.