Two Swindon men seriously hurt when they were hit by an ambulance are in line for substantial damages payouts from the NHS.

Pedestrians Richard Oliver Mather-Holgate, 35, and Samuel Mather-Holgate, 32, were crossing the A40 Gloucester Road when disaster struck.

They were hit by an emergency response ambulance and thrown into the air on August 17, 2014, according to a writ issued at London's High Court.

Richard sustained a life-threatening head injury while Samuel was also badly hurt and has suffered psychologically following the horror smash.

Both of Horse Fair Lane, Cricklade, they are now suing South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust for damages.

But according to the writ issued by their lawyers, liability for the collision is not in dispute.

And a compromise has been agreed that will see them each receive 45 per cent of the full value of their claims.

The exact amount of damages which the pair will receive has yet to be decided, but is likely to be substantial.

In the writ, their barrister Christopher Walker states that Richard's life-threatening head injury required emergency neurosurgery and he spent time in intensive care.

He has been able to return to work as an analyst for Npower but not fully to his pre-accident role.

Samuel's injuries included a broken right ankle and rib fractures.

He has not been able to return to running or to work as a retained firefighter. He was medically discharged in December last year, the writ states.

It is 'likely that he will continue to experience low-level and intermittent symptoms of discomfort in his right ankle indefinitely'.

And the writ adds that he continues to suffer from a protracted adjustment disorder, include irritability and sleep disturbance.

The ambulance service's defence to the claim was not available from the court and the contents of the writ have yet to be tested in evidence before a judge.