Marcus Watkin spent a year in hospital after the accident

Marcus Watkin, 37, from Shrewsbury was seriously injured when a car driven by William Powell collided with his bike on the A458 in Shropshire in July 2002.

Mr Watkin suffered multiple fractures and spent a year in hospital. He must now use a wheelchair for life.

He was awarded damages at the Courts of Justice in Manchester on Monday.

Mr Watkin suffered multiple fractures to his pelvis and legs in the collision which happened on the A458 Shrewsbury to Welshpool Road on 6 July 2002.

'Lessening the pain'

Mr Watkin who used to run a valeting business said: "I am trying to get things back together with my family and the money will go some way to lessening the pain.

"It will enable me to just be able to have someone helping me with the day-to-day things that, as an able-bodied person you take for granted."

His lawyers GLP Solicitors said Mr Watkin had been able to buy a specially-adapted bungalow after he left hospital.

In a statement they said: "The award will ensure that he is able to have the specialist care, equipment and transport that he is going to need for the rest of his life in addition to compensating him for the loss of earnings that he will suffer."

The award was made against Mr Powell's insurers who was not prosecuted but did surrender his licence following the accident.