A couple are to receive £1.5 million to care for their son after claiming a hospital caused catastrophic injuries to him when he was born.

Lyndon and Jacky Newton appeared at the High Court in London on Tuesday, to have an out of court settlement rubber-stamped.

Mr and Mrs Newton, of Eastburn, have been fighting a campaign for justice ever since their son Harry, now 12, was born with severe spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

The couple claim Harry's illness, which has left him unable to walk or stand up by himself, was due to poor treatment given by staff at Dryburn Hospital, in Durham, where the youngster was born.

Mrs Newton, of Vincent Avenue, was 30 weeks pregnant and on holiday with her husband in the north-east when she was admitted to the hospital after her waters broke in September, 1990.

Two days after admission she developed an infection, which lawyers acting for the family claimed was in her uterus and very serious.

Their solicitors, clinical negligence specialists Boyes Turner, argued the hospital should have arranged an early delivery but Harry was delivered normally.

Shortly after the birth Harry was diagnosed with the illness and the couple claimed the injury was caused because of an unacceptable standard of care during Mrs Newton's pregnancy, labour and delivery.

Despite the defendants, County Durham and Darlington Health Authority, denying liability throughout, the case was settled three weeks before a trial was set to begin. On Tuesday, Mr Justice Simon, approving the massive compensation deal, described Harry as a "bright and personable young man".

He added: "A medical report on Harry shows he expresses himself well and soon builds up a good social rapport.

"He has good social skills and a keen sense of humour, and I hope the settlement will help make the life of this engaging boy as happy and fulfilled as possible."

Some of the money will help pay for Harry's education, which will now be carried out at a school in Hampshire which specialises in helping children suffering from the condition.

In a joint statement, Mr and Mrs Newton said: "It has taken us nearly 13 years to achieve this conclusion and it has been a long struggle with many setbacks. We have had to battle for everything that Harry needed. Although this is not the outcome that we would have desired, at least it is now at an end. Our solicitor, Susan Brown, has fought tirelessly for Harry and we are extremely grateful to her for all the support she has given us. Also, without the love and support of our family we would not have got this far and we now hope that we can get on with our lives and move forward."

Boyes Turner partner Susan Brown, who has managed the case, said: "All cerebral palsy cases are tragic, but this case was particularly difficult because of the complex medical issues involved in proving liability." She said the settlement had to be accepted by the High Court because a young boy was involved.

A spokesman for County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority, the successor to County Durham and Darlington Health Authority, said the circumstances relating to Harry's birth had been investigated.

"Although liability has not been admitted by the health authority, we are pleased that a settlement has been reached without the need for this matter to go to trial," he said.

"It is hoped that the settlement will go some way to helping Harry cope with his disabilities in the future."