A GIRL who goes to a Poole special school has been awarded a £3.3 million compensation deal after being acutely disabled during birth.

Elizabeth Blainey, now eight, was born with acute cerebral palsy at Welwyn Garden City's Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in May 1996.

"Effectively quadriplegic" with impaired intellectual powers, her condition was due to the "admitted negligence" of hospital staff and the hospital's managers, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, who admitted full liability.

Her devoted parents, Alexander and Sandra, have moved from their home in Hatfield, Herts, to Dorset, to enable her to attend Langside School in Parkstone.

The High Court in London heard they are living in rented accommodation and hope soon to buy a new home close to the school, which will be suitable for her needs.

Glowing tribute was paid to the care lavished on the youngster by her selfless parents, by her counsel David Wilby QC.

He said they had given her "devoted love and care" ever since her birth.

They were "very content" with the settlement, which they hope will make "an amazing difference" to Elizabeth's quality of life.

Approving the settlement, Mrs Justice Dobbs told the couple: "The past years must have been very difficult for you. You have made huge sacrifices and I hope that this settlement will make life easier for you and your daughter and enable you to lead a more normal life. Please accept the court's good wishes."

Miss Mary O'Rourke, for the NHS Trust, said her clients had admitted liability at an early stage and had apologised to the family.

First published: October 19