A schoolgirl who was catapulted from her father's car as a result of a crash when she was a toddler won more than £1million damages at the High Court today.

Charlotte Downing, of Woodcote Drive, Purley, Surrey, suffered brain damage and lost her left eye as a result of the accident on November 4, 1990, when she was just two.

Now 18, Charlotte has battled against the set back to successfully take her GCSEs, and is hoping to study music at Chichester University.

However, her barrister, Martin Seaward, today told Mr Justice Gray that she is likely to need some level of care for the rest of her life, and won't enjoy the kind of high-flying career her three younger siblings are destined for.

Through her mother Christine, Charlotte sued her father Trevor over the accident, although his motor insurers will foot the bill.

Describing the accident as an "appalling misfortune", Mr Justice Gray added that Charlotte suffered "catastrophic injuries" as he approved a lump sum settlement in her favour of £1,110,000.

Charlotte, who suffered behavioural problems following the smash, has undergone extensive surgery and has been fitted with a prosthetic eye.

Christopher Purchas QC, for Mr Downing's insurers, said: "We would like to express our admiration for Charlotte's determination and courage for the way she has approached these injuries, the way she is looking forward positively to the future and to wish her every success and happiness in what she achieves."