A young man who had his only testicle removed at a Scottish hospital because of a medical error has received £100,000 in compensation.

Richard Adamson underwent the operation at St John's hospital in Livingston when he was wrongly diagnosed as having testicular cancer.

Mr Adamson, 26, who was born with only one testicle, was in fact, suffering from a blood clot which could have been easily treated.

Lothian Health Board had admitted liability at the Court of Session in Edinburgh but had contested the level of damages.

The court heard that the graduate, who was born with one testicle, was now forced to take regular hormone injections to prevent him from developing female characteristics after the operation in June 1992.

After the operation it was found that Mr Adamson, from Chiswick, in west London, had been suffering from a blood clot which could have been easily treated.

The jury of seven women and five men took two and a half hours to award the former film production student his full claim of £100,000.

Mr Adamson, who was seated between his girlfriend Lynsey and mother Valerie, buried his head in his hands as he heard the jury's decision.

Future suffering

A total of £45,000 was awarded for distress already suffered by Mr Adamson, with a further £55,000 awarded for future suffering caused by the neglect, which included being unable to father children.

The jury did not award any compensation for Mr Adamson's claim that he was disadvantaged in finding work because of the mistake.

Mr Adamson, formerly from Almondell, in West Lothian, refused to comment after the trial but his solicitor, Judy Williamson, said: "Richard is relieved that the case is now over.

"He would like to thank all of the people who have supported him throughout, especially his girlfriend Lynsey, his mother Valerie and his dear friend Clair.

"Richard hopes that if any good can come from this it is that no-one else should find themselves in the unfortunate position he is now in.

"Richard would like to consider his position over the next couple of days and asks for his privacy to be respected."