A five-year-old boy left severely disabled after he was starved of oxygen during his birth at a Sussex hospital has won £728,000 compensation.

Hank Robert Warren, from Hastings, responds to sound and can smile and cry, but his developmental level remains that of a three-month old baby.

The High Court in London was told he cannot talk or move independently and does not respond to his name.

His counsel, Adrian Hopkins, said he was prone to "prolonged episodes of screaming".

The court heard his life expectancy was severely reduced due to the increased risk of contracting a fatal respiratory infection.

Had it not been for that factor, the damages would almost certainly have run into millions.

Through his mother, Sarah Warren, Hank sued the Hastings and Rother NHS Trust, managers of the Buchanan Hospital in St Leonards where he was born.

The health authority admitted liability for Hank's injuries, and its counsel, Dennis Matthews, issued a public apology on its behalf.

He told Mrs Justice Hallett: "On any view this is an absolutely tragic case. The trust has asked me to express its most sincere apologies for what occurred, "It is the trust's profound hope that this sum of money will help the family and Hank to cope with his very considerable difficulties."

Hank suffered asphyxia, leading to acute cerebral palsy, after his mother was admitted for late induction of labour in August 1994.

Mr Hopkins said obstetric staff were at fault in failing to carry out an emergency caesarean section delivery in the latter stages of labour, by which time Mrs Warren was already "exhausted."

Hank's overall damages were lower than in many comparable cases due to his reduced life expectancy, he added.

Approving the settlement, Mrs Justice Hallett paid tribute to Hank's parents.

She said: "Their dedication to him is enormously impressive. I wish them and those who help them well in their attempts to assure that Hank has as contented a life as possible."

Speaking on behalf of Hank's parents, solicitor Sally Nicholes said: "They are very relieved by the outcome of Hank's claim.

"It means they will be able to get the help they need to meet his needs.

"It has been a long struggle for them and they are satisfied with the outcome. Now they just want to try and get on with their lives."