A man left disabled after doctors failed to diagnose a spinal infection has won £950,000 damages.

Brian Winstanley, 64, from Shoreham, would have been left with nothing worse than a stiff neck if his condition was spotted earlier.

The Royal Sussex Country Hospital in Brighton did not diagnose or treat the infection in time, even though one of its own neurosurgeons suggested it.

Grandfather Mr Winstanley said: "I hope that by bringing the case I can avoid something like this happening to anyone else.

"Mistakes will happen and I have just been very unlucky to be the victim of such a serious mistake."

Mr Winstanley's larynx was removed in February 2000 because of cancer and he had a neck operation at the Royal Sussex in April that year to help him speak.

He later became feverish with severe neck pain but the hospital did not diagnose an infection until August.

As a result, he developed serious spinal injuries and at one point was unable to move his limbs. Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust admitted the infection should have been diagnosed by mid-May.

The former carpenter spent a year in hospital and had four operations.

He can now walk for very short distances with sticks but is mostly confined to a wheelchair and has had to move to a ground-floor flat.

His wife Jackie cares for him but he is likely to deteriorate and will eventually need a live-in carer.

His solicitor Robert Bell said: "Mr Winstanley's life has been wrecked. A proper understanding of his medical condition would have meant he could have been cured with almost no ill effects."

A spokeswoman said the trust had apologised. She said: "His condition was very complex and involved a number of specialties. Independent experts did not identify any trust procedures that needed to be changed."

The High Court in London ruled in July he should receive damages.