A BOY severely brain damaged after he "died" for 26 minutes following his birth has won a multi-million pound payout to help with his care.

Ellis Goldsmith was left with major health and behavioural problems after blunders at the former South Cleveland Hospital, now called the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, almost eight years ago.

Yesterday, his mother, Andrea, was given a £615,000 lump sum plus annual payments to ensure her son can have the constant care he needs for the rest of his life.

Speaking after the award in the High Court, Mrs Goldsmith, 36, said: "It is a relief to know we'll be able to provide the best for our special boy."

Ellis was born at South Cleveland Hospital in June 1996.

His mother, who had already suffered two stillbirths, contacted the hospital after feeling ill, but was sent home after a scan found the baby's heartbeat. Three days later, Mrs Goldsmith, of Havilland Road, Thornaby, Teesside, returned in agony and an emergency Caesarean was performed.

She said she was told within minutes her baby had died, but staff worked to save him. She later found out he was alive but critical.

"Ellis was dead for 26 minutes," said Mrs Goldsmith, who suffered from maternal gestational diabetes during the pregnancy.

"I should never have been let home from hospital following my first visit.

"If my baby had been born three days earlier he would be perfect."

The delay in his birth means Ellis, seven, suffers from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, epilepsy, profound deafness, severe learning disabilities and behavioural difficulties.

The award means the family will receive an initial payment of £615,000 by South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, followed by an annual compensation payment for the lifetime care of Ellis.

The trust admitted failures in their standard of care, as a result of which the delivery of Ellis was materially delayed, which left him severely brain damaged.

Ellis attends Ash Trees School, in Billingham. His condition has affected his entire family, including sister Stacey, 17, brother Austin, 13, and grandparents Barbara and Peter.

A spokeswoman for South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust apologised for what happened to Ellis.

She said: "We are pleased this is now settled so that Ellis's family can make him as comfortable as possible in future."