UNIVERSITY College London Hospital has paid out around �300,000 in damages to the family of a man who died during a botched drugs trial.

Gary Foster, 27, from Waltham Abbey, Essex, was given double the amount of chemotherapy prescribed for testicular cancer due to a computer error.

He had originally told by doctors that taking part in the trial would improve his chances of recovering from his illness.

But Mr Foster died five months later after suffering lung damage.

At an inquest it emerged that UCLH had made a mistake in setting up their electronic prescribing system.

Speaking on behalf of the Fosters, their solicitor Mark Bowman said there had been “a systemic failure in the setting up, running and monitoring” of the trial.

The North London hospital has confirmed that a settlement had been reached with Mr Foster’s relatives, while also extending their condolences to the family.

A spokesman said: “After his death UCLH co-operated fully with the coroner, who concluded that death occurred as a result of an accidental healthcare event and that following a full investigation the trust had taken measures to prevent any recurrence.”