AN ISLE of Wight boy left severely disabled after sustaining brain injuries at birth has been awarded a £3.9m settlement.

Joel Ives was born at St Mary's Hospital, Newport, in June 1993, where, as a result of delays in his delivery, he suffered irreparable brain damage, resulting in quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

Now 11, Joel suffers from various disabilities, which affect all aspects of his daily life, and will never be capable of independent living.

Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust admitted liability in April 2001 and judgement was originally obtained on June 6 2003, with damages to be assessed.

Now a settlement of £3.9m has been approved by the High Court, sitting in Winchester.

Damages had been delayed until this week to ensure there would be sufficient funds available to cover the future cost of his care.

A spokesman for Clarke Willmott clinical negligence solicitors, which represented the family, said Joel's parents intended to look after him at home with the assistance of full-time carers for the rest of their lives.

Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust has made a full apology for the events surrounding Joel's birth and commended his family for their devotion in looking after a child with such severe disabilities.

In a statement the trust said: "The trust hopes that Joel and his family will be able to move forward now that the claim has been resolved and that Joel will be able to reach his full potential. The trust offers its best wishes to Joel and his family for the future."