A father who is suing a council for the emotional and financial damage caused to his family by his adopted son has told a High Court judge: "I will always do my best for him."

The boy is now cared for by Essex County Council, but the father still has contact with him.

On Friday, he told the court: "I will suffer for my children because they are mine and to this day I continue to support bringing my son up."

But he told Mr Justice Buckley that he and his wife might never have taken the boy on if Essex County Council had not been so "economical with the information".

I got to the point of thinking he is my child, although not yet legally adopted, and I am going to sort these problems out

Father

The two were not shown reports indicating that the boy - aged five at the time of the placement in 1996 - was so disturbed he would require constant supervision.

The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, accuse the council of negligence in failing to provide sufficient information on which they could make an informed decision, as required by law.

Cross-examining the father, Edward Faulks QC, for the council, said the boy had been with the couple for a 14 month placement before the final adoption order was made.

He asked the father if he had thought it would have been a good idea to seek support from social services before the adoption, when the couple were already experiencing problems with the boy.

The father said: "No, I was too proud.

Damages sought

"We were afraid they would say we were not capable of handling this child.

"I got to the point of thinking he is my child, although not yet legally adopted, and I am going to sort these problems out."

The couple are seeking damages for personal injuries; depression caused by the adoption; loss of earnings resulting from his needing constant supervision and the cost of the damage to their home caused by the boy.

The council, which now cares for the boy in a residential home, denies negligence.