THE parents of a man who died from septicaemia have received "substantial" compensation from a hospital in an out of court settlement.

But Mark and Levina Brown, of Waterfoot, have said that their four-and-a-half year legal fight was "never about the money".

And the family's solicitor said the cash payout from Salford's Hope Hospital could never compensate for the loss of their son Mark, 29.

Mark, a former pupil at Fearns Community Sports College, was initially taken to Fairfield Hospital in Bury after he collapsed at Texecom in St Crispin Way, Haslingden, where he worked as a home alarm engineer.

After an X-ray did not reveal anything, he was transferred to Hope where transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord, was diagnosed.

His condition deteriorated into paraplegic paralysis and he was treated with a range of anti-biotics, before it became clear that he was actually suffering from bladder and urinary problems.

Mark, who has two older sisters Julie and Tracy, died on April 17 2002, four months after he was admitted to Hope.

A post mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be septicaemia, relating to the urinary infection. The transverse myelitis was an underlying condition.

His parents took legal action against Salford Royal NHS Trust a few months after Mark's death, claiming that it had been negligent and failed to provide him with the appropriate treatment and medication for the urinary tract infection.

Although the case was listed for trial, it has emerged that the trust settled out of court last month, awarding the Browns "substantial" compensation.

The settlement does not imply any liability from the trust.

Retired psychiatric nurse Mrs Brown, 59, added: "This was never about the money. It was about getting the issues known so that it might stop others going through this pain.

"It was a hard slog, four-and-a-half years of struggling, but we were determined, and this result has made it worthwhile. It's the answer we wanted.

"This has been a horrendous time for both myself and my family.

"This has scarred me for life.

"No mother should have to experience the death of their child. I will never be the same again.

"Mark lived at home and we were so close. His death has left a huge hole in our lives that will never be filled."

Personal injury lawyer Stephen Maguire of Donns law firm in Manchester, who acted for Mrs Brown, said: "We have always maintained the trust was negligent even though it has never actually admitted liability."

A hospital spokesperson said: "Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family of Mark Brown.The trust can confirm that it has made an out of court settlement to Mark's family."