A disabled boy who needs 24-hour care for life after being starved of oxygen when he was born at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital has won a £5m payout.

Daniel Godfrey, 12, who suffers cerebral palsy and lives with his parents, Tina and Stephen, in Middleton Stoney, near Bicester, was born at the JR on April 18, 1995, after his mother endured hours of traumatic labour.

Despite handicaps that mean he will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life, Daniel was described at the High Court yesterday as a "good looking, sparky and personable" youngster, who loves football and enjoys playing computer games.

Mrs Godfrey was admitted to the hospital at 8am, but Daniel was not delivered until the early hours of the following morning.

The couple's lawyers argued that hospital staff failed to adequately monitor her labour and Daniel's birth was negligently delayed.

Following the hearing, Mrs Godfrey said: "After a tough 10-year battle, this award will give Daniel security for the rest of his life.

"Although the award may seem a huge amount of money to some, it will have to meet his needs for the rest of his life. Daniel will not have the choice to live or work independently.

"It will never compensate fully for his avoidable injury and his daily struggle to achieve the most mundane tasks.

"We will not be celebrating, just concentrating on doing the best for our much-loved son and the rest of our family."

The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust admitted liability for Daniel's injuries in 2004, shortly before his ninth birthday, and yesterday agreed the compensation package.

The payout, made by the NHS Litigation Authority, is not the largest faced by the trust, according to trust spokesman Heather Barnett, who was unable to provide details of the largest compensation amount.

As well as a £2m lump sum, Daniel will receive £50,000 a year until he is 25.

After that, the payments will increase to £120,000-a-year, index linked for the rest of his life. He is expected to live well into his 80s.

Daniel's barrister David Melville told the court in London: "Despite his disabilities, Daniel is a lovely looking child with a fabulous sense of humour."

The barrister said that was in large part due to the selfless care lavished upon him by his mother and father, who is a Royal Mail engineer.

Stephen Miller, defending, issued a public apology to Daniel and his family on behalf of the trust.

Daniel's solicitor, Catherine Hopkins of Darbys, said: "The Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust admitted responsibility for Daniel's injuries just over four years ago, then it was necessary to collect evidence as to his future prognosis and needs before it was possible to finalise his claim."

Heather Barnett, a spokesman for Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "The form of award agreed between the parties will ensure that Daniel receives compensation throughout his entire life. The trust hopes that the award made will assist Daniel in leading a fulfilling and active life."