INSURERS have agreed a £5m compensation payout to a man paralysed and brain damaged in a car accident.

Richard Harrison's world was shattered when he was knocked off his cycle near his home.

A former EnvironmentAgency officer, Mr Harrison, 35, was injured four years ago.

Yesterday, his suffering and his family's anguish was eased when they won the payout.

His parents, John and Jennifer, spoke of their relief.

His mother a 69-year-old retired school dental worker, of Hexham, Northumberland, said: "Richard has shown immense courage and the money will be spent providing help for him to achieve continual improvement in his quality of life."

Divorcee Mr Harrison was knocked off his bike in an accident with a Subaru Impreza, driven by Jill Mills, as he was riding in Hexham in May 1999.

The keen golfer and fisherman was left paralysed in his arms and legs and unable to talk.

Mrs Mills, 68, a retired solicitor, of Riding Mill, near Hexham, broke her silence about the case for the first time yesterday.

She said the accident would haunt her for the rest of her life and she was glad Mr Harrison had received the out-of-court settlement.