A five-year-old boy has received a £2,000 payout after suffering a serious finger injury in a fairground accident.

The money will be kept in trust for Thomas O'Donohoe until he is 18 following the out-of-Court settlement by the ride owner.

Thomas, pictured, underwent an emergency operation and was said by his parents, Tony and Linda O'Donohoe, to have been distressed for months after the accident at Fair Road, Wibsey, two years ago.

Mr O'Donohoe, a builder, and his wife, who works in residential services, are both employed by Bradford Coun-cil.

They were able to use lawyers who work for their union Unison to file a claim for personal damages against the ride owner, Denis Slater.

Mr Slater denied responsibility but agreed to the payout before the case went to Bradford County Court.

The incident happened when Thomas was three and fell over on a ride.

He caught his finger in the floor, badly ripping it when it was pulled out.

He had to have surgery to repair nerve and tendon damage.

Today, Mrs O'Donohoe, of Farfield Avenue, Wibsey, said: "His nail still splits but apart from that he is better.

"He suffered a lot of pain because it was a serious injury. It really affected him.

"He was distressed and could not sleep at night because of it."

Cliff Williams, Unison's regional secretary, said: "We were delighted we were able to help our members in this way.

"It was obviously a traumatic experience for Thomas.

"We provide this legal service for our members and it made sure the family was properly represented.

"It also meant they received the full amount of compensation without it being swallowed up with fees. We are delighted that Thomas made a full recovery."

Gayle Chapman, litigation executive for Thompsons solicitors, of Leeds, which dealt with the case on behalf on the family, said: " It was a severe laceration which caused partial amputation."

A spokesman for Liverpool-based Hill Dickinson, which represented Mr Slater, said: "It was a minor injury but it must have distressed the little chap.

"Most businesses in these circumstances would have settled."