A JUDGE has ruled that promoters should shoulder the greatest share of the blame for an inflatable disaster which claimed the life of a former East Lancashire woman.

Former Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar pupil Claire Furmedge was killed, along with pensioner Elizabeth Collings, when the public artwork Dreamspace broke free of its moorings at a County Durham fair.

The deaths, in July 2006, have prompted a raft of legal proceedings, including compensation claims on behalf of the victims.

These have included proceedings issued on behalf of Claire’s children Jessica, 13, Emily, 11, and her husband Gary.

Law lords have now ruled that event promoters Brouhaha International Ltd should be responsible for 55 per cent of the claims, expected to amount to a multi-million-pound payout.

The former Chester-le-Street district council, now part of Durham County Council, were found to be 45 per cent liable.

But judges noted that Dreamspace inventor Maurice Agis, who has since died, would have borne a substantial share of responsibility had he been involved in the case.

It emerged that the promoters Brouhaha had been aware at a previous exhibition in Liverpool that the inflatable was susceptible to windy conditions.

Council bosses came under fire for not scrutinising the risk assessment provided by the artist.

The structure failed because it had inadequate anchorage, which meant a ‘fairly unexceptional’ breeze was enough to lift it from the ground, the court heard.

Colette Longbottom, the Durham authority’s legal head, has welcomed the court’s decision to apportion the majority of liability to Brouhaha.

She said: “We sincerely hope that this closes what must be a very painful chapter for the many people affected by this tragedy and our thoughts continue to be with them.”