An "adorable" child who suffered brain damage after being starved of oxygen has won £3.5 million compensation.

Newham Health Care NHS Trust admitted liability for causing Eloise Fosberry, now six, severe brain damage after complications with her hospital birth.

Eloise, known to her family as Ellie, was born 45 minutes too late and was starved of oxygen which resulted in her developing cerebral palsy.

Her family, who now live in Billingshurst, sued the NHS trust for clinical negligence and were awarded the compensation in the High Court yesterday.

Speaking in court, Martin Spencer QC, acting for the NHS trust, apologised for the mistakes made during Eloise's birth in September 1999 at Newham General Hospital. He said: "They cannot seek to justify the errors, they are very truly sorry for them."

Mr Spencer said the trust recognised there were mistakes made in obstetric care, which resulted in Eloise suffering from a brain injury. She was left with tetraplegic cerebral palsy affecting her lower and upper limbs. She cannot walk unaided.

Speaking outside the Court, Eloise's father, Karl Fosberry, said the family was pleased his daughter's future was now secure after years of stress.

The family moved to Billingshurst from London so Eloise could attend Ingfield Manor specialist school in the village.

Huw Lloyd, acting for the family, said that education was "enormously successful". On seeing Eloise in court, Mr Justice Holland described her as "adorable".

Newham Health Care NHS Trust issued a statement after the case which said measures were being put in place to make sure the same mistakes do not happen again.

It said: "We sincerely hope the settlement will make Eloise's life more comfortable in the year's to come.

"The trust instigated a full investigation."