A WORKMAN seriously injured when he fell headlong through a hole in the floor at Southampton's WestQuay has been told he can expect a substantial six-figure pay-out.

But Peter Boreham, who has been unable to work since the accident four years ago, says the compensation does not go far enough.

Mr Boreham, then aged 27, was trying to find a way out of the newly-finished centre's "labyrinthine" service corridor after completing a repair job.

He and his friend thought they had found a way out when they saw a door leading on to the mezzanine floor of unit 34 propped open, and made their way into the pitch darkness.

But Mr Boreham stumbled straight into an unmarked hole in the floor and fell more than four metres on to concrete below.

He suffered head injuries and brain damage - and has been unable to work since because of problems with his short-term memory.

After a three-day hearing at London's High Court, Mr Justice Keith ruled that the victim should receive 40 per cent of his damages claim - a figure thought to be at least six figures.

But speaking from his home in Faringdon Road, Harefield, at the weekend, Mr Boreham, now 30, says he's not happy with the outcome.

"I still don't think it was my fault," he said. "Obviously I'm not happy about it. I'm glad it's over, after three and a half years, but I'm disappointed with the way it's gone."

O2 UK Ltd, now tenants of unit 34, agreed they would pay 42.5 per cent of the final damages award and shopping centre owners, WestQuay Shopping Centre and managing agents, CB Hillier Parker Ltd, will each contribute 28.75 per cent to the payout.

Mr Boreham's claim against the main site contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine, was formally dismissed. Judgement for 40 per cent was also formally entered against shop fitters, Lancashire based Westbourne Design and Build, but the company is in voluntary liquidation and its insurers have refused cover.

All the defendants denied liability, insisting that Mr Boreham had been careless and bore some of the responsibility for the accident.

The final amount of the damages will be finally assessed at another hearing, at Southampton District Registry. A date has yet to be set.