A seven-year-old boy who was born too early after his mother was fitted with a contraceptive device while she was pregnant has been awarded £2.25 million damages.

Cian Bowen suffered brain damage because of his birth at 29 weeks and now has cerebral palsy although his intellect is intact.

Cian, who Mr Justice Spencer described as a "very delightful little boy", was at London's High Court with his parents, Stephen Bowen and Tracy Ann Hughes, for the settlement of his damages action against GP Helen Claire Jenkins.

The family's counsel, Martin Spencer QC, said that the case arose from the admitted negligence of the doctor, who fitted Ms Hughes with an intrauterine device (IUD) or coil in March 2007, when she was already 14 weeks pregnant.

Ms Hughes suffered from bleeding and, seven weeks later, realised she was in fact pregnant, which was particularly devastating as she and her partner had regarded their family as complete.

No termination was possible at that stage and the pregnancy continued until Cian, who would not have sustained damage if he had gone to term, was born prematurely.

"He is now of course a much-loved and precious member of the family", said counsel.

If the case had not settled but continued to trial, he added, there would have been a major dispute between the medical experts as to whether the presence of the IUD was causative of the premature labour and delivery.

It had been agreed that Ms Hughes should receive £200,000 of the damages, which are funded by the Medical Defence Union, in relation to her own personal injury claim and to compensate her and Mr Bowen for their past care.

The family, who live in Carmarthenshire, south Wales, intended to pay off their mortgage and take a much-needed holiday.

The judge said he was satisfied that the settlement was in Cian's best interests and paid tribute to the devotion and loving care shown by the family.

"I can see for myself he is a very delightful little boy - very bright and cheerful despite his difficulties.

"His parents, sisters and grandparents must be very proud of him.

"This settlement will bring the family the peace of mind they have been seeking and I wish them well. There will be more challenges, I'm sure, but now they have financial security."