A disabled boy who needs round-the-clock care has won £5.5m compensation from the John Radcliffe Hospital after being starved of oxygen at birth.

It is the latest in a line of pay outs made by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust totalling £24m in the past two years. Luke Parsonscorr, from Grove, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after suffering medical complications when he was born. The trust yesterday admitted liability at a High Court hearing in London.

Parents Andrew and Gail Parsons said: "Even though we are pleased with the final outcome of this long battle, we will not be celebrating, just concentrating on caring for Luke's future needs.

"Although the money seems a huge amount, it will be needed to give Luke the security and support that he will require for the rest of his life."

Luke suffered permanent brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen when his mother's labour was delayed. Staff failed to regularly test oxygen levels in his blood, or act on results from tests.

When an abnormal heart rate was detected and a decision was made to deliver him urgently, there was another 49 minute delay.

Luke was not breathing when he was born and had to be resuscitated. Now the 12-year-old has to rely increasingly on a special wheelchair and has limited speech and movement.

Luke, who is expected to live to a normal age, was awarded a lump sum of £2.1m, plus £46,000 a year until he is 19. After that, he will receive £120,000 a year for the rest of his life.

Helen Niebuhr, of Darby's solicitors, who acted on behalf of the family and specialises in clinical negligence cases, said: "Luke is a lovely boy and happily his intellect has not been affected by the brain damage.

"However, this also means that he is fully aware of, and frustrated by, his limitations. Despite that, he remains cheerful."

A trust spokesman said: "We sincerely hope that the substantial agreed settlement will assist Luke in achieving his potential throughout life, but recognise that no amount of money can fully compensate him."