THE family of a mum who died when an inflatable artwork was blown into the air are to share in damages that could run into millions of pounds.

Dreamspace, a huge walk-in structure half the size of a football pitch, took off in a gust of wind with 20 visitors inside.

Claire Furmedge, 38, a radiographer from Bacup, was one of two people who died when the structure came crashing back down to the ground.

Inside it with her were daughters Jessica, 13, and Emily, 11.

Now following a high court ruling, their claims and those of other victims of the disaster have been settled.

Other claims from her partner Gary Furmedge and members of Mrs Collings family have also been resolved.

Elizabeth Collings, 68, Seaham, also died in the tragedy in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, in July 2006.

Several others were badly injured in the accident, leading to claims for damages from Chester-le-Street District Council and art event organisers, Brouhaha International Limited (BIL).

The settlements were revealed as a court battle began to decide who should stump up the compensation cash, with the council claiming BIL is the more responsible party.

The arts installation broke away from its moorings in high winds because it had not been adequately moored, the court heard.

Lord Faulks, for the council, told the court that whatever was decided compensation would still be paid out in a number of cases, including those relating to the Furmedges.

But BIL should take the greater proportion of the blame, he said, and should be responsible for paying no less than two thirds of the damages.

He added: “By its own admission, BIL should have conducted its own risk assessment of the safety of the structure.

“It is plainly just and reasonable that it should have owed a duty of care at common law to those visiting.

The structure had lifted off the ground during a previous event at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral, the court heard.

Lord Faulks added: “BIL was put on notice of the slipshod approach of the artist to risk assessment, because the risk assessment he provided to BIL for the Liverpool event was the same as that later provided by BIL and the artist for Riverside Park.

“It provided for the structure to be staked into the ground, despite the fact that in Liverpool it was to be sited on concrete and in fact was held down by water ballasts.

"Again, the council was not informed of this."

Lawyers for BIL said its role in Dreamspace’s tour in 2006 was not such as to give it any duty of care to members of the public in relation to the safety of the installation.

E ach of the parties admitted offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 during a criminal prosecution and were fined.

Dreamspace’s creator, Maurice Agis, who was cleared of a manslaughter charge in relation to Claire’s death, has died since the incident.

Cheshire-based charity Steps, which supports children with lower limb conditions, set up the Claire Furmedge Equipment Fund four years ago in the former Fearns High School student's memory.

It has nearly reached its £20,000 target and has helped around 400 children since its inception in 2007.

The hearing continues.