A man left severely injured in a road accident 10 years ago has been awarded £2.8million damages but will still not be able to get a season ticket for his favourite football team.

Darren Wild, 22, was knocked down by a car in Croydon in February 1996 and suffered devastating injuries which left him unable to work and in need of support for the rest of his life.

Darren sued for damages through his mother Linda Wickenden, of New Addington.

The insurers agreed to pay Darren £2,808,750 to settle his claim at the High Court this week.

After the hearing Darren's solicitor Colum Smith said that the only thing Darren wants is the Arsenal season ticket he is unable to get.

"He's an absolutely nutty Arsenal fan," Mr Smith said. "The first thing he asked after we had agreed the settlement was whether the money could help him get a season ticket.

"He's number 35,000 or 36,000 on the waiting list and he's desperate to get to see the team he loves in their first season in their new stadium, but I don't know how the money can help him."

Robert Francis QC, Darren's barrister, told top judge Mrs Justice Cox how the accident occurred and the devastating effect it has had on Darren's life.

He said: "Darren was being accompanied by his mother down the street when he ran across the road into the path of a car.

"Darren received extremely serious head injuries, together with injuries to both legs which would have been serious enough in themselves, but paled into insignificance in comparison with the terrible damage done to his brain."