Claims specialist Ray Aimson told Michael Oakes he shouldn't be satisfied with the payout he's been given so far.

"I feel the amount is an insult," said Mr Aimson. "Apart from the shock sustained in the collision, there's the inconvenience that Mr Oakes and his family have suffered over the past two years to be considered."

Mr Oakes's Nissan Silvia has been off the road since August 1996 when a Friesan heifer jumped over a hedge and collided with the front of the car near Great Budworth.

The 40-year-old claims he has been "on skid row" since the accident - which he and wife escaped without serious injuries.

But despite a 20 month battle against his insurance company, AGF, Mr Oakes, of Whitley Avenue, Barnton, has recovered only £825 of his £1,600 losses.

"With the farmer's consent, we made an ex gratia payment of roughly 50 per cent of the cost of the repairs to the car," said Phil Davis, AGF's claims manager.

"This was carried out on the understanding that there was absolutely no liability on the farmer's part. The funds come from the goodness of our hearts, really."

Mr Aimson, of Accident Support, added that Mr Oakes would accept the offered payment.

"But as an interim, pending further, complete, payments," he said.

Mr Oakes' father, George, said the family weren't satisfied.

"We've got a useless car on our drive which can't be taxed or insured," he said. "The money they've offered wouldn't even buy a new bonnet.

"It's nowhere near enough."

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