The mother of a terminally ill four-year-old has spoken of her relief of an expected multi-million pound settlement from West Herts Hospitals Trust.

Rosie Snell, now living in St Albans, was born at Watford General Hospital in October 2004 but was left needing 24-hour care for life after oxygen starvation in the womb left her severely brain damaged.

On behalf of her daughter, Joanne Snell took legal action against the trust and last Thursday at London’s High Court, the trust, while still denying blame, agreed to settle the issue of liability on the basis of 90 per cent of a full valuation of Rosie's claim.

Mother, Joanne, said her and her partner Richard Hunt are relieved the four-year battle is over and the couple can now provide the best standard of care for Rosie, making her life as happy and comfortable as possible.

She said: "We are pleased that the four-year battle is now over and although no amount of money will ever compensate for what has happened, it will help to give our little girl the best care possible.

"We would like to thank Keech Cottage Children's Hospice for their excellent support and help throughout; we don't know how we would have got through these last four years without them.

"They are remarkable and families like us rely on them."

Rosie attends Watling View School in St Albans, a special for two to 19 year-olds with severe learning difficulties, three mornings a week where Joanne says she is 'very happy'.

Joanne and Richard, a self employed builder, were left fighting for the money they needed to provide care for Rosie after the trust denied liability for Rosie's injuries in 2004 and a four-year legal tussle began.

The deal guarantees Rosie massive compensation for her injuries. Her payout, likely to be several million, will have to cover the costs of her care and accommodation throughout her life.

Benjamin Browne QC, for the trust, told the judge: "There is no admission of liability on the part of the defendant. However, I am instructed on their behalf to express their enormous regret for the tragic injuries suffered by Rosie at her birth.

"These injuries were at the maximum severity end of the scale of cerebral palsy injuries.

"They have imposed a formidable burden on her family and the care she has received has been no less than remarkable. We would like to pay tribute to what they have achieved".

Rosie's solicitor told reporters outside court: "This means Rosie's parents can have the security of knowing that her needs will be provided for, for the rest of her life.

"They are utterly devoted parents and now have the security of knowing she will get the funds for the 24-hour care and all the necessary equipment she needs."

The exact amount of Rosie's damages will be assessed at a later court hearing.