A MAN whose holiday was ruined when he broke his ankle is still facing a battle for compensation nine months later.

Retired engineer Keith Turner, 64, tripped over a drain cover in the street while on holiday in Albufeira, Portugal, with wife, Jean, in February.

The fall left him in considerable pain and in plaster for five weeks.

Mr Turner, from Darlington, says the grate which caused the injury was sunk below the road surface and was restored to its natural level within ten days of him reporting the accident.

He is pursuing a compensation claim against the local authority in Albufeira, but has been warned that his legal expenses could be withdrawn because of the limited chance of success.

The authority concerned is understood to have no insurance in place to compensate for such accidents, and is likely to contest any case should it reach court.

Mr Turner, who booked the First Choice holiday through Hayes Travel, in Darlington, said: "I was in severe pain following the accident and was either in bed for much of the time or on crutches.

"It absolutely ruined the holiday because I could not go anywhere, and I'm still suffering now from aches and pains.

"What I've been told, more or less, is that it is going be very difficult to get any recompense for what happened.

"People should be warned that if they go to Portugal and the same thing happens to them there could be nothing to safeguard them."

Heloise Gilbert, of Exeter based Stones Solicitors, who are advising Mr Turner on his claim, said: "It is always a lot harder to make a claim abroad than in this country, unfortunately.

"The legal systems are different and the level of compensation is also different.

"I have seen cases still going nine years after an accident abroad because liability is often disputed. We would not put people off making a claim, but be warned not to expect too much.