A WILTSHIRE boy left facing a lifetime of disability after he was brain damaged at birth today won the right to a compensation package worth about £5 million.

The youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, suffered catastrophic injuries when his brain was starved of oxygen shortly before his birth in 2002.

Although he survived the disaster, he was left stricken by cerebral palsy, which will leave him dependent on the care of others for the rest of his life.

His parents, who are from the Swindon area, sued the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, alleging negligent management of the mum's labour.

Had medics at the hospital in Swindon acted more quickly and performed a caesarean section sooner, then the boy would not have been left so badly disabled, they claimed.

After 10 years of legal wrangling, the case finally reached the High Court in London today after the parties agreed to settle the claim.

Under the terms of the agreement, the boy will receive 85 per cent of the full value of his claim, when fully assessed.

His barrister, Martin Spencer QC, told the court his best estimate put the value of the case at £6m, which would mean a payout of £5.1m.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Hickinbottom said: 'The parents should be in no doubt that it is my view that this settlement is in the best interests of the claimant - without a shadow of a doubt.'

The parties will now begin negotiations on the actual amount of the boy's compensation and in which form it will be paid.

Most cases of its kind result in lump sum payments to fund suitable accommodation for the disabled child, with annual payouts to cover the cost of care for life.

If the parties cannot agree on the precise value of the claim, then that issue will return to court for a judge to decide.