A RADCLIFFE boy left badly brain-damaged when he nearly drowned in a holiday swimming pool has been awarded £2.5 million.

Kevin Roberts, of Calf Hey Close, was just six when the accident happened at a Majorcan hotel in July 1993.

He can no longer speak, is unable to use his arms or legs, cannot eat solids and has to be fed liquids through his abdomen.

Mr Justice Gibbs apportioned 50 per cent of responsibility to package holiday company Sunworld, and 33 per cent of responsibility to the Hotel Jupiter/ Saturno in the resort of Alcudia where the incident happened. Kevin's parents were found to bear 17 per cent of responsibility.

Kevin's father, Ray, said: "The money will make a big difference in helping to improve Kevin's quality of life, but obviously we would give anything not to be in this situation."

Kevin was playing in the shallow water with his older brother, Paul (then nine) when he slipped under. His father and mother, Julie, were nearby but had taken their eyes off him for a moment to attend to their youngest child, John (then one). Kevin had been rescued by a German tourist but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. A doctor administered an adrenaline injection to his heart, but the damage was already done.

The High Court in Manchester awarded the damages. Lawyers representing the company claimed Mr and Mrs Roberts must share the blame for the tragedy as their son was not wearing arm bands.

Adrian Brunner QC for Sunworld said: "Parents can take their eyes off children. But parents have a continuing responsibility for them. He was not wearing arm bands and so we say it raises certain questions with regard to the parents."

He also claimed that Mr Roberts would have been given advice about the pool at a welcome meeting.

But Kevin's lawyers argued that there were no barriers between the pool's shallow and deep ends which sloped dramatically, inadequate depth markings, no warning signs or lifeguards and no poolside resuscitation gear, the latter two being a requirement of Spanish legislation.

"Kevin had the future he was entitled to cruelly snatched away. At least with this money behind him he can be provided for long term," said Mr Roberts.

"Julie and I were worried about what would happen to him when we got too old to care for him properly and what would happen when we are no longer here. Now, because of the money, we don't have to worry quite so much."

Radcliffe MP Ivan Lewis said: "With the family, I will now be appealing to the Government to see whether legislation can be introduced which will make these tour operators and similar companies accountable for their actions."

A spokesman for Sunworld said: "The consequences of Kevin Roberts' accident in 1993 have been tragic for he and his family. The sympathies of Sunworld are extended to both."