A RECRUITMENT consultant who suffered catastrophic injuries when he was hit by a car driven by a priest is to get more than £3m compensation, a High Court judge was told today.

James Kennedy, 37, of Gosforth, Newcastle, will receive a £3m lump sum plus annual payments of £210,000 for life under the terms of a settlement agreed with Father John Cole's insurers, Mr Justice Bean heard.

The judge approved the terms of the settlement at a High Court hearing in London.

Mr Kennedy was 30 when the accident happened as he crossed a road in Rome, Italy, in January 2006, the judge was told.

Mr Kennedy's lawyers said after the hearing that Father Cole, of Merthyr Tydfil, West Wales, had been driving a Peugeot on the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele road when the crash happened.

He suffered severe brain damage and fractures to his skull, spine, knee, collar bone and shoulder and has been left with severe and permanent physical disabilities.

He also has major difficulties with memory and concentration and is wheelchair dependant and will require 24 hour care and assistance for the rest of his life.