A LAWYER says the £3.65 million compensation payout to a Gwent road accident victim would come as a massive relief to her family.

Mick Antoniw, head of the serious injuries unit for Thompson's Solicitors in South Wales, said the cash would help ensure Jessica Morgan has round-the-clock care for the rest of her life.

She was awarded compensation on Tuesday for "devastating" injuries she suffered when a car collided with her in 1999.

Aged 19 at the time, she was left in a semi-coma for some time and now has limited mobility and is unable to speak.

Through her father, Graham Morgan, 54, of St James Way, Tredegar, Jessica claimed from the driver of the car involved in the accident - Paul Phillips, of Rhymney.

Mr Antoniw said the level of care she needs could cost as much as £100,000 a year. But this does not include money needed to make alterations around the home or the cost of other equipment needed. Yesterday, Jessica's parents, who have two other children - James, 28, and Jade, 13 - said no amount of money could compensate for their daughter's injuries.

"The money is absolutely essential to ensure she has some quality of life," said Mr Antoniw. "This person is totally dependent on carers so what you end up with is a regime of carers who are effectively your employees. "Their sole responsibility is to look after an individual and their wages and other costs need to be covered.

"Getting the compensation would come as a massive relief. Without it families would have to carry on providing a lot of the support."

Liz Majer, assistant director of adult services at Blaenau Gwent council, who cannot comment on individual cases, said the local authority and the NHS provided a wide-range of support services for families caring for a disabled person but they had to work within a restricted budget.