A little girl whose parents say was left "almost totally blind" due to a "lack of competent care" by Watford General Hospital doctors has launched a considerable compensation claim.

The girl, who is aged under 10 and cannot be identified for legal reasons, was born prematurely at just 28 weeks, weighing less than three pounds. She remained in hospital after her birth for more than two weeks.

Her parents say that hospital staff "negligently" failed to spot that she was suffering from serious eye problems.

In a writ lodged at London's High Court, the girl's mother says medics checking her baby's eyes for problems associated with prematurity failed to react appropriately when a cluster of haemorrhages was detected in one eye.

The girl was discharged from hospital having received no eye treatment and without an appointment for a further check-up, it is claimed.

It was not until later that problems were detected in both eyes, and even then Watford General "did not instigate any treatment", the family's lawyers allege.

By the time the girl's eyes were examined by a Great Ormond Street Hospital specialist, and her parents told she needed urgent surgery, it was too late to save her sight.

The girl is now suing West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which manages Watford General, claiming compensation for her disability.

The writ states that the girl "is now almost totally blind," adding "it is alleged her blindness was caused or contributed to by the lack of competent care at Watford General Hospital”.

The family's lawyers claim that her condition could have been detected and treated earlier.

The trust's defence to the claim was not available from the court, and the contents of the writ have yet to be tested in evidence before a judge.