A massive £1.85m has been awarded to a 12-year-old girl who was left brain damaged after her birth at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.

The family of Amy Langer, of Woodstock, were awarded the money today after suing Oxfordshire Health Authority for medical negligence. Mum Elaine Langer, of Crecy Walk, Hensington Gate, Woodstock, sued the authority on behalf of Amy who was born on November 23, 1985.

A High Court hearing heard how Amy suffered oxygen starvation during her birth which Mr Justice McKinnon was told had led to serious brain damage.

Amy suffers from cerebral palsy which has left her severely mentally and physically disabled and will never be able to care for herself or lead a normal life.

The judge was told by Amy's counsel Philip Havers QC, that Oxfordshire Health Authority had admitted liability for what had happened earlier and that damages had now been agreed at £1.855m.

Jonathan Holl-Allen, for the health authority, said they had written to Amy's parents apologising for what had happened.

After the hearing Mrs Langer and her husband Geoffrey said the money would be used to "secure a future " for Amy.

They said because of her condition Amy now requires constant specialist help and care and will do so for the rest of her life.

They said that Amy would never be able to work or enjoy a normal childhood or adult life.

Mrs Langer said: "No amount of money will ever be able to compensate for the fact that Amy has been denied a normal life with her family."

The award is the second huge payment made out by the health authority in just over a week.

Last Monday, the family of Mark Taylor, 13, of Peachcroft, Abingdon, were awarded £1.5m after he was left seriously disabled when he was starved of oxygen at birth at the hospital in July 1985.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.