A Kent grandmother has won her landmark five-year court battle to be paid the same as a foster carer for bringing up her grandchild.

The 64-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been fighting Kent County Council since she started looking after the teen in 2005.

KCC had refused to pay her the same rate as a foster carer even though the child would have been taken into care in 2004 had she not stepped in.

The High Court heard the gran was receiving £63.56 a week which is £80 less than the average foster parent.

Solicitors Ridley and Hall, who represented her, said she will now receive the same support as a foster parent as well as back payments from the council.

KCC must pay out £146 per week instead of £63.

Solicitor Nigel Priestly said: "We are delighted with the outcome.

"The council argued that they have no duty to the child even though their fingerprints were all over the case.

"The case should not have been necessary.

"This case is a landmark case for Kent and has implications for many children the county has placed with relatives."

A spokesperson for KCC said the authority is seeking permission to appeal the ruling so cannot comment any further.

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