A mother's 30-year struggle for compensation after blunders in a Tyneside Hospital left her daughter facing a lifetime of acute disability ended today as she finalised a £5 million settlement of her case.

Zoe Marie Blair was born on February 12 1974, at South Tyneside District Hospital, Horton Lane, South Shields, with severe cerebral palsy due to oxygen starvation in the womb.

Her counsel, Simeon Maskrey QC, said of her: "Zoe is unable to stand or walk and is confined to a wheelchair, has no useful speech and communicates with head movements.

"She will never be independent and will require care and support for the rest of her life".

Through her mother, Jean Rosemary Blair, Zoe sued Gateshead and South Tyneside Healthcare NHS Trust admitted full liability.

A settlement figure of £5 million was earlier agreed in principle, but judge, Mr Justice David Clarke, approved a final deal, which will guarantee Zoe a steady flow of income, designed to meet her care needs for the rest of her life.

Mr Maskrey said £1.7 million of the lump sum would be invested to provide a steady income for Zoe, who will never work as a result of her disabilities.