A BOY left unable to walk or talk after suffering head injuries in a road accident six years ago has been awarded £2.5million damages.

Khuram Akhtar, now 12, formerly of Crompton Place, Blackburn, also has epileptic fits and will be dependent on others for the rest of his life.

He was only six when he was hit by a car as he crossed a road in Ashton-under-Lyne.

He was on a ventilator for 18 days and was in hospital for 13 months.

Speaking at his new home off Preston New Road, his father today said the money would be held in trust for him and would be spent on private treatment.

"We have been struggling for the last six years because he needs so much care. He is still developing and he needs further treatment.

"Now we can get him private treatment, in England or in America or wherever. We hope he will improve," he said.

The family's solicitor, John Ringrose, said the case had taken so long because the insurance company had refused to admit liability and had only begun making offers in the last two weeks.

He said: "It is one of the biggest cases I have ever worked on.

"We had to assemble evidence from 14 medical and non-medical expert witnesses."

He said Khuram needed a wheelchair and his parents, who also have two daughters, had to provide 24-hour care. Mr Ringrose, of Slater Ellison solicitors, Bury, said the family was considering moving to a specially-adapted bungalow where a professional carer could take some of the responsibility for Khuram's needs.

He said: "Khuram is going to go to a privately-run specialist school where the facilities are far better than they are in local authority schools."

At the High Court, Manchester, his counsel Stephen Stewart QC said the out-of-court settlement had been agreed after lengthy negotiations by lawyers.

After approving the damages, judge Mr Justice Elias said it was an extremely sensible settlement. He said: "I have been impressed by the way his family have rallied round, despite the pressure and distress. The money will make things much easier."