The family of a ten-year-old boy who suffered brain damage at birth is seeking more than £300,000 in compensation.

Paris Carroll was left with cerebral palsy following alleged negligence around the time of his birth.

His mother Paula Carroll, of Amberley Drive, Hove, has filed a High Court writ against West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust claiming Paris's injuries were caused by not delivering him by emergency caesarean on time.

The writ states: "The claimant now suffers from severe dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

"The claimant's injuries and associated loss and damage would have been avoided had the management of the labour and delivery been consistent with a reasonable standard of care."

Paris was born at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds on July 6, 1997. His severe disabilities mean he suffers speech impairment and epilepsy. Mrs Carroll, who was 30 at the time of Paris's birth, had undergone a caesarean section the previous year when she had her daughter.

Paris was delivered at 9pm by caesarean section but during the birth it became apparent the scar from the previous caesarean had ruptured.

The writ claims Paris was deprived of oxygen during and after his birth and significant foetal heart abnormalities were apparent.

It says if Paris had been delivered no later than 8.40pm, when the abnormalities were known about, he would not have suffered brain damage.

Mrs Carroll's pregnancy was normal but after 41 weeks she asked for an induction. She was admitted to hospital on July 5.

Next day everything appeared normal until Mrs Carroll started to complain of severe pain at 7.51pm. She was transferred to the labour ward and was so distressed she could not use gas and air.

At 8.05pm staff realised it would be impossible for her to give birth naturally and Paris's heart rate had dropped.

Mrs Carroll was "in lots of distress"

as a result of the pain and was told she would be given an epidural but after Paris's heart rate dropped again it was decided to deliver him by caesarean section.

It was realised that Paris was in distress and Mrs Carroll's scar had ruptured. Paris was delivered just after 9pm in the breech position.

He was handed to a paediatrician for resuscitation. His heart rate had dropped to 20 beats per minute.

After 14 minutes of resuscitation he was put on a ventilator but remained very ill after suffering brain damage.

A spokesman for West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust said: "It would be inappropriate to comment at this stage."