TWIN boys left blind because of a hospital's failure to treat them properly are to share a £1 million compensation pay-out.

Daniel and Robert Russell were born 14 weeks early after their mum, Gail, went into Salford's Hope Hospital. Both boys developed retinopathy -- an eye condition which is one of the risks of prematurity.

But staff were negligent in their care of the twins because they failed to screen their eyes, detect the condition early enough and then treat it.

If the condition had been diagnosed and treated correctly the risk of complete blindness would have been less than 10 per cent.

Mr Justice Poole approved an out-of-court settlement against Salford and Trafford Health Authority at Manchester High Court yesterday. Daniel and Robert, now aged 10, will now get £500,000 each, which will be invested for their future.

The judge sent his good wishes to the twins and also praised their mother, Gail, of Buchanan Street, Swinton.

After the hearing, solicitor Emma Holt, said: "The family is delighted with the settlement that has been achieved. The award will make a very significant difference to the twins' quality of life."

David Dalton, chief executive of Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, said; "Although these events happened 10 years ago, the Trust, which now manages Hope Hospital, would like to apologise to Daniel and Robert and their parents for the events surrounding their treatment at this time. We deeply regret the circumstances, which have resulted in this case."

"Screening for retinopathy of prematurity was in place at the time in question but there was a delay in these children being screened, which has resulted in their visual impairment. I would like to reassure parents that developments in the service that is provided at Hope Hospital mean that such a delay should not arise again.

"We are pleased that terms of settlement have been reached and pay tribute to the devoted care the twins have received from their family. We wish them well for the future."