A JUDGE who agreed £2 million compensation after a baby suffered brain damage during birth has praised the family for the care and devotion they have given their son.

Justice Brian Leveson at Preston Crown Court session house ratified the payout for Craig Walsh, 11, yesterday.

David Westcott, solicitor representing Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust also apologised to Craig and his parents Ann and John in court.

And hospital bosses today offered its sincere apologies to the family.

Craig's parents, of Henry Whalley Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn, have fought a ten-year battle before the trust made a sudden about turn last week.

Craig was virtually stillborn as his labour was mismanaged. He needed extensive treatment before he was allowed home from Queen's Park Hospital.

John and Ann found out he was suffering from cerebral palsy when he was 13 months old, which required round-the-clock care.

Judge Leveson said Ann and John had shown Craig care and devotion.

He said: "They have done all they can and more than could reasonably be expected of them.

"I express not only admiration and wonder but the court's view that this type of care revealed itself as demonstrating that whatever difficulties children might have, parents confronted with them very frequently raise themselves to cope.

"I hope this money in this settlement in principle goes some way to give them, and importantly to give Craig, the very best scope of opportunities he can have, given his condition."

John said:" It's a big relief it's finished. It's been going on for ten years. This will help us give him the care he needs. You shouldn't have to fight for ten years. You put your trust in the health service, it shouldn't happen."

Ann said in response to the judge's comments: "You just get on with these things. You don't think about it, you do it."

Mr Westcott told the court: "We want to convey the authority's apologies. We are happy the resolution has been achieved without trial and we want to wish the family well in the future."

John Dell, acting chief executive with the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust, said: "The Trust acknowledges that errors were made during Craig's delivery and we express our sincere regrets to Mrs Walsh and Craig."