A LITTLE girl born to face a lifetime of acute disability will receive multi-million-pound NHS compensation.

“Sub-standard care” after she suffered a blocked airway in the wake of her birth at Brighton’s Royal Sussex County Hospital caused catastrophic brain damage, London’s High Court heard.

Now eight, she is stricken by cerebral palsy in all four limbs, together with epilepsy and impaired intellect, hearing and vision. “She requires help with all aspects of daily living,” said her barrister Simon Taylor QC. Her life expectancy is about 25.

But her father told the court: “She is one of the happiest eight-year-olds I know.”

The youngster loves swimming and the judge, Mrs Justice Lambert, was shown a picture of her snorkelling.

Lawyers on the girl’s behalf sued Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which admitted liability for her injuries.

On top of a £3 million lump sum, she will receive annual, index-linked and tax-free payments to cover the costs of her care for as long as she lives. The payments will start at £145,000 a year, rising in steps to £277,500 a year by the time she leaves school.

NHS counsel David Balcombe QC said liability was admitted in 2013 and a letter of apology sent to the girl and her family.

The judge said: “A good deal of goodwill between the parties has enabled this settlement to be reached.”

She said she felt “privileged” to have been shown a recent photo of the girl enjoying herself in the pool.

And she told the parents: “You now have a sum... we all hope will make the future just a little bit easier.”