A WOMAN who was left with severe learning difficulties after nearly drowning during a school swimming lesson has had a compensation bid rejected.

Annie Woodland was a ten-year old pupil at Whitmore Junior School, in Basildon, when she was pulled from the water at Gloucester Park Swimming Pool and resuscitated in 2000.

Her father, Ian Woodland, claimed up to £3million in damages on her behalf from a string of public authorities, including Essex County Council and Basildon Council.

But the rejection of part of the claim, aimed at the county council, was upheld by the Court of Appeal yesterday.

The High Court originally ruled the claim was “bound to fail” in October last year.

Claims against Basildon Council, the Swimming Teachers Association and one of the lifeguards on duty are still ongoing.