Anita Anderson (52), spent the day of her death buying a new dress for the festive occasion, little suspecting she had only hours to live,

But the jury heard her husband, Malcolm Anderson (54) tell the court that he had already agreed to pay another man £20,000 to have her killed so he could begin a new life with lover Claire Jackson (26).

The court was told that both women had been due at at works party on December 9 last year and on the night before Anderson rang alleged hit man, John Height, and told him : "I want to go for it."

Hours later, Mrs Anderson was killed.

Anderson, of The Mill, Kirton, Lincolnshire, admits murdering her last December, but Height (38), of Driffield Way, Woodston, Peterborough, denies the charge.

Anderson and Miss Jackson both worked at the Norfolkline depot in Whittlesey and first embarked on an affair in early 2006.

Heartbroken Mrs Anderson split from her husband after finding an intimate text message on his phone.

Anderson told Miss Jackson he would be getting a divorce and starting a new life with her – only to go back to his wife.

But Nottingham Crown Court heard yesterday how in November last year the lovers rekindled their affair.

Anderson again promised to leave his wife – even though they were due to renew their marriage vows during a luxury cruise this January.

He later allegedly discussed his dilemma with Height, a self-employed mechanic based at the same depot, and was allegedly told there were ways and means of getting rid of his wife.

A few days later after an "horrendous argument" with his wife, Anderson again met Height and asked him "What do I need to do?".

He claimed Height replied: "All I need is a name and address" which he scribbled on a piece of paper and gave him.

"The price was to be £20,000 to be paid once the dust had settled," Anderson said.

He claimed Height gave him a mobile phone to contact him on when he was ready for the killing to happen.

Anderson said that on December 9 both women were due to go to the Norfolkline Christmas party at a hotel in Peterborough, but the night before they argued.

Anderson told the court: "I was facing a raging tiger."

He added: "I went outside and called Height and told him I wanted to go for it."

He claimed Height said he would be there in an hour, but by then Mrs Anderson had to be asleep or unconscious.

Anderson said he went back into the house and hit his wife with a saucepan a number of times before loading her into his car and driving her to meet Height at a lonely country crossroads.

When they met, Height gave him a hammer, telling him to give her "a knockout blow", Anderson claimed.

After admitting hitting her a number of times, Anderson said: "John told me to hit her one more time.