A schoolgirl left wheelchair-bound after a head-on car crash has been awarded £5.1 million in damages.

Tania Chapman-Fortune, now 12, suffered devastating spinal fractures when her nanny lost control of her car nine years ago.

Tania, then aged three, was a rear-seat passenger strapped into a child's seat when disaster struck on the A22 Uckfield by-pass in November 1994.

The car ended up on the wrong side of the road and collided with another oncoming vehicle.

The youngster lost the use of her legs, much of the movement in her arms and now requires 24-hour care.

Her mother, Judy, was at the High Court in London yesterday for settlement of a damages claim against nanny Carrie Elphick who suffered brain injuries in the crash.

After hearing details of the case, the judge, Mr Justice Owen, said he was satisfied £5.1 million, to be paid by insurers, was an "entirely fair and appropriate settlement".

Last night Tania's father John said: "We are very proud of Tania. She is determined but has a very long way to go.

"We are pleased by the settlement, which will be spent on further modifications to the house and 24-hour care."

Mrs Chapman-Fortune said: "It's going to make a big difference to Tania's life. She will be able to have the physiotherapy she needs.

"Since the accident, it has been a long hard struggle with a lot of paperwork.

"It is such a relief to know the money will be there to provide the care when she needs it and to secure her future.

"Before she was injured Tania, was a beautiful, affectionate and happy little girl who was normal in every way.

"Since her accident I have done everything in my power to allow her to continue to live as full a life as possible."

Earlier the court heard how the family's world was turned upside down after the smash.

They had to move from their home in Danehill, near Uckfield, which Mr Chapman-Fortune had designed and built, into a new home in Lake View Avenue, Dormans Park, East Grinstead, which could be modified for wheelchair use.

Mr Chapman-Fortune had to give up his job as a pilot with British Airways to look after his daughter every minute of the day.

Mrs Chapman-Fortune, who also worked in the airline industry, had to give up her full-time job to go part-time.

Tania, who attends Woldingham School in Surrey, needs help with even the simplest tasks such as dressing herself and cutting up food.

She said: "I enjoy science, maths and art.

"When I leave school I want to design equipment for the disabled."

Her mother said 90 per cent of the equipment they had tried had been inadequate for Tania. She said her daughter wanted to use her own experience to help other disabled people.

The family has not remained in contact with the nanny, from Alfriston near Eastbourne, following the accident.

Ms Elphick and her insurers did not dispute liability and agreed to pay the settlement.

After the case, the family's solicitor, Linda Levison, said: "Whilst, of course, no amount of money could ever begin to compensate for the terrible injuries Tania suffered, the settlement will provide financial security."