Daniel Patrick Drew was 18 and living in Millholm Road, Desborough, in April 2004, when a car in which he was a passenger was involved in a smash with another vehicle, on the A6003, between Uppingham and Caldecott, in Leicestershire.

Daniel suffered serious brain damage which has left him blind in one eye and partially sighted in the other as well as affecting his cognitive abilities.

Through his mother, Tracey Bowler, Daniel sued the driver of the other car, Daniel Roberts, of Evison Road, Rothwell.

As Daniel - a back seat passenger in the car - was not wearing a seatbelt, Mr Roberts' insurers agreed to pay him 85% of a full valuation of his claim, and a trial was set to begin next week to assess the amount of the award.

But today, before Mr Justice King at London's High Court, final settlement terms were agreed which will see Mr Drew receive a lump sum of £3.5 million to cover the costs of the care he will need for the rest of his life.

Mr Drew's barrister, Michael Tillett QC, told the court that his client - who is now 23 and lives with his family and carers in Lowestoft, Suffolk - needs "constant monitoring or mentoring" because of his brain injury and eyesight problems.

"Daniel's mother has borne a huge burden of care in this case," the barrister told the judge.

Mr Justice King approved the settlement today which included a payout of £25,000 to Daniel's mother as some compensation for the selfless care she has given him over the past four years.

The family have already received a £696,000 "interim payment" - made last year to enable them to buy their new home in Lowestoft - which is included in the final £3.5 million settlement figure.

Giving the settlement the green light, the judge said: "I'm quite satisfied that I should approve this order.

"This settlement should take a lot of the burden of care off the shoulders of Daniel's mother."