A dad was left severely disabled after a Willesborough GP mistook a brain haemorrhage for an ear infection.

Father-of-two Ben Watson, 42, is wheelchair-bound and dependent on others after sustaining catastrophic brain damage in 2007.

Mr Watson, then of Ashford, suffered memory loss and a change in personality, London’s High Court heard on Monday.

He was rushed to hospital after collapsing in July 2006 but was discharged.

“It brought to an end to Mr Watson’s life as he had known it. His life and the lives of all his family have been affected by that event"

Over the next 18 months he repeatedly complained to his GP of headaches but was treated for migraines or an ear infection.

His legal team said doctors should have suspected he was suffering from a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage.

Dr Jane Clark, then of Willesborough Health Centre, diagnosed an ear infection when Mr Watson saw her following his first collapse.

She admitted a breach of duty and Mr Watson’s family was awarded an undisclosed compensation settlement.

Mrs Justice Thirlwall said: “It brought to an end to Mr Watson’s life as he had known it. His life and the lives of all his family have been affected by that event, in particular the life of his wife Melanie and their two children.

“It is quite clear Mrs Watson’s extraordinary care, love and devotion to her husband have meant the quality of his life now is far greater than might otherwise have been predicted when this first happened.”

The family’s barrister, Joel Donovan QC, said the payout would be used to fund Mr Watson’s extensive care needs and adapt a suitable property.

Martin Porter QC, representing Dr Clark, apologised to the family, adding: “I express the hope on her part that this compensation will go some way to improve Mr Watson’s quality of life.

"Mrs Watson has provided sterling care to her husband and that deserves some tribute.”