Missing fisherman's body is found

Colin Dolby's family have been fishing on the River Thames for 300 years

A widow has paid tribute to her fisherman husband whose body was found washed up on a beach in Essex.

Colin Dolby, a father-of-four from Leigh-on-Sea, disappeared while fishing in bad weather off the coast at Shoeburyness in November.

The 47-year-old's body was found at Thorpe Bay, near Southend, on Sunday.

His widow, Jane, described the past eight months as "mental torture" and said her husband revelled in family life and fatherhood.

'Delayed grieving'

Mr Dolby went missing on 10 November when his 40ft trawler, the Louisa, was caught in a freak storm.

The vessel was recovered by emergency rescue services three days later but extensive searches by specialist police diving teams failed to find his body.

"Colin was the love of my life and although I am trying hard to rebuild my life I don't think I will ever, fully recover from this," said Mrs Dolby.

"It is incredibly hard for the whole family especially the children. They adored their daddy and he revelled in family life and fatherhood.

"To finally have his body home means we can have a funeral and say our goodbyes properly and finally begin the delayed grieving process.

"The Dolby family have been fishing on the River Thames for over 300 years so this is not only the loss of a wonderful man but the end of an era for this hard working fishing family."