A SUFFOLK family of a boy seriously injured in a road accident 10 years ago today accepted £3.4 million High Court damages.Anthony Read, now 17, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was present at London's Law Courts with his parents for a hearing before Mr Justice Keith.

A SUFFOLK family of a boy seriously injured in a road accident 10 years ago today accepted £3.4 million High Court damages.

Anthony Read, now 17, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was present at London's Law Courts with his parents for a hearing before Mr Justice Keith.

He was seven years old when he was hit by a car doing a U-turn near his home and suffered severe head injuries.

The judge gave his approval to the settlement sum, which will be paid by the insurers of the motorist involved in the 1993 accident.

Mr Justice Keith said: "These have been troubling and no doubt distressing years for Anthony, his parents and all of the Read family.

"I know that Mr and Mrs Read have looked after Anthony with consummate devotion since his accident and I hope that the award which has been agreed and which I have just approved will provide Anthony with a significant measure of security and will bring peace of mind to all his family.

"I wish them good fortune for the future."

After the hearing, Anthony's father Bernard said: "We are extremely relieved that Anthony's future has been secured and he will have a proper chance of independence in the future.''