A GULF War veteran whose ureter was ripped out in an operation at Worcester Royal Infirmary has received £470,000.

David Barrington was awarded the special damages by Judge Perrett at Birmingham High Court this morning.

Since the 1997 op, he has lived with almost continuous infections, has lost strength in his legs and is in constant pain.

He has also been warned by doctors the problems which have left him 80 per cent disabled will be life-long, and he may even lose a kidney or contract cancer.

In an exclusive Evening News interview, Mr Barrington told how the cash will help with his nursing care, but will not exorcise his psychological demons.

The 47-year-old feels the only thing that will help put the trauma to rest will be a full face-to-face explanation from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust.

"At least I now have something which will provide for the future and restore the balance," he said. "Although I know I'll never be fit and healthy, I can now pick up the threads and get my life together.

"I don't want to haul the surgeon across the coals. That isn't my intention. I just feel it's not enough, and think I am entitled to an explanation from the hospital."

Mr Barrington, of Hamble Close, Ronkswood, was taken to WRI in September, 1997, suffering from kidney stones and renal colic.

After five days in hospital, doctors looked at his kidneys through a scope, with a view to moving the stone. But, during the op, his ureter was ripped from both his kidney and bladder.

In a restorative operation at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the tube was replaced with a piece of bowel, but he now has to catheterise himself each time he needs the toilet, and has a scar stretching from his armpit to his groin.

He is unable to drive some of the time - as he has to take opiate drugs including morphine to control pain - cannot continue his hobbies and cannot hold down a full time job.

The former teacher and RAF flight lieutenant now has a part-time job with West Mercia police.

The award will cover loss of earnings, nursing care costs and physiotherapy, as well as items and therapies needed to treat his symptoms.

Acute Hospitals Trust spokesman Richard Haynes said it had "the greatest sympathy" for Mr Barrington's situation.

"The acute trust, and the trust which managed the Worcester Royal Infirmary, have apologised to Mr Barrington for what happened," he said.

"The incident for which liability was admitted was an unfortunate complication which occurred during surgical procedure. The trust accepts the decisions of the court."