The widower and children of a Bradford woman who was stabbed to death by her mentally ill brother-in-law have received "substantial" damages after suing Airedale NHS Trust.

Mr Justice Leveson, sitting at High Court, in London, approved the confidential deal which was reached without any admission of liability by the trust.

He ruled that the family could not be identified, to protect the children, and the amount of damages be kept confidential.

The mother was stabbed to death in front of her children in 1996 by her brother-in-law who had been in and out of hospital with signs of mental illness.

Her husband, who lives in the Bradford area, sued the NHS trust on behalf of the children, alleging their care and treatment of his brother had been negligent.

On Wednesday, after a brief hearing behind closed doors to protect the identity of the children, Mr Justice Leveson approved a "substantial" settlement of the case.

The father had accepted the deal "in the spirit in which it was offered" by the NHS trust, he added.

Referring to the mother's death as a "terrible tragedy" for the children, the judge said: "I, on behalf of the children, also accept the compromise."

Janine Tobias, for Manchester based Pannone and Partners Solicitors, who represented the widower, said: "This settlement enables our client to draw a line through this episode in his life.

"The way it has been dealt with will mean he will be able to put it to one side -- he is glad that it is over. There has been compromises on both sides but it is a good settlement. The compensation for the children will help them get on with their lives."

Mr Simon Readhead, representing the NHS Trust, earlier told the judge: "It is a matter of particular delight to the trust that this matter has been settled in this way.

"This has been a difficult case and, I particularly say this so the husband can hear, I wish him well with his children and I hope that they develop into fine, upstanding children that both of their parents would have been proud of."