A 12-year-old boy who suffered brain damage at birth has been awarded £1.5 million agreed damages.

Harry Newton, who has cerebral palsy, is dependent on a wheelchair for mobility and needs help with all daily activities.

He was born in Dryburn Hospital, Durham, in September 1990 after his mother Jacqueline's waters broke at 30 weeks of pregnancy while she was on holiday in the area.

Harry, his mother, and father, Lyndon, who live in Keighley, West Yorkshire, were at London's High Court for the announcement of the settlement of their case against County Durham and Darlington Health Authority.

Their counsel, John Grace QC, told Mr Justice Simon that it had settled without any admission of liability and at a discounted rate.

The authority's counsel, David Evans, said it was an ''anxious and difficult case'' and wished Harry well for the future. Both counsel and the judge paid tribute to the devoted care provided by Harry's family.

Approving the sum, the judge said that Harry, who is due to attend Lord Mayor Treloar School in Hampshire, was a ''bright personable young man'' who expressed himself well and had a sense of humour.

''I hope the settlement will help to make the life of this engaging boy as happy and fulfilled as possible.''

Afterwards, Harry's parents said: ''It has taken us nearly 13 years to achieve this conclusion and it has been a long struggle with many setbacks.''

They hoped that the family could now move forward.