A FAMILY is claiming more than £6.6m in damages from a health trust for their daughter who suffered severe brain damage when she was born.

Newcastle Crown Court was told yesterday that Rebecca Alderson, who is now nearly seven, is unable to walk, is totally dependent on others for her daily needs and has communication problems.

Rebecca, from the Chester-le-Street area, in County Durham, was born at the former Dryburn Hospital, in Durham City, on November 23, 1997.

Because of the "negligent mismanagement" of her mother's labour she was effectively born dead and took her first gasp after 20 minutes. A scan later confirmed she had suffered brain injuries.

The North Durham NHS Trust has admitted a breach of duty and agreed last November to judgement entered against it.

The court was told yesterday that Rebecca had lived with her grandmother, Anne Hall, from the age of three, because her mother could not lift her, although she stayed actively involved in her life.

But Rebecca has had to move back home with her mother, Alison, after Mrs Hall's husband became ill.

Elizabeth Anne Gumbel QC, representing the family, said they would need to convert a house for Rebecca's needs and take on a commercial carer.

She said: "They are entitled to a commercial carer to relieve them of the extra burden of looking after the immediate physical and emotional and cognitive needs of a severely disabled child, even though the parents still have a parental role."

Ms Gumbel said carers would have to help Rebecca get up in the morning, get dressed for school and in the evening tend to her needs and hoist her into a bath.

Paediatric experts have agreed that when she becomes an adult, Rebecca will be incapable of managing her affairs by reason of mental disorder.

The case continues.