A FORMER Gwent army cadet whose bright future was destroyed by "catastrophic" road injuries launched a High Court bid for more than £2 million in compensation yesterday.

In March 1999, Jessica Morgan was a 19-year-old college student, with high hopes of a career in IT and multimedia, when she suffered serious injuries as a pedestrian in a car accident in Church Street, Rhymney.

Miss Morgan, now 25, of St James Way, Tredegar, suffered devastating head and other injuries and was in a a semi-coma for months after the accident. She was left with limited mobility, unable to speak and in need of round-the-clock care.

Now, through her father, Graham Morgan, she is claiming massive compensation from the driver of the car involved in the crash - Paul Phillips, of Bryn Glad, Pontlottyn - at London's High Court.

Although Mr Phillips' motor insurers agree Jessica is entitled to compensation on the basis of 55 per cent liability, they are hotly disputing the amount of her payout at the hearing which is expected to last up to eight days.

As well as more than £200,000 for her "pain, suffering and loss of amenity", Miss Morgan's lawyers are seeking over £2 million to cover the costs of her future care.

They are also asking for around £350,000 so that Jessica and her family can move out of their council house into a specially adapted bungalow and to compensate her for loss of earnings.

But defence barrister, Ralph Lewis QC, says her claim is pitched far too high. Amongst other things, he said, she is entitled to state-funded care from the local authority as well as a council house appropriate to her needs.

The cost of the intensive care regime she is currently receiving is also excessive, Mr Lewis argues.

Bill Braithwaite, QC, on behalf of the family, told the judge that a recent "dramatic improvement" in Miss Morgan's condition was down to the private care regime put in place and claimed she was obliged to obtain as much free care as possible from the local authority.

Miss Morgan, formerly of the Gwent Army Cadet Force, was featured in the Argus in July 2001, before receiving her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Proceeding.