A COUNCILLOR has won his battle for compensation after an Arctic glacier hit the cruise ship he was on.

UK tour operator Discover The World has admitted responsibility for the suffering caused to 16 cruise passengers in Svalbard, an Arctic territory of Norway, in August 2007.

Large chunks of ice broke from a glacier and hit the sea, causing a huge wave to crash down on the deck and make the boat tilt, hurtling passengers across the deck, with some suffering serious injuries.

Bromley Councillor Julian Benington and his wife are among the 16 passengers who sued because they say the captain should not have steered so close to the glacier.

Father-of-three Cllr Benington, who represents the Biggin Hill Ward and lives in Downe, says he and his wife Valerie suffered cuts and bruises during the terrifying ordeal.

Phillip Banks, from the solicitors’ firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing 12 of the passengers, says they are “delighted” Discover The World has admitted responsibility.

He said: “We hope we are now able to work closely with Discover The World to ensure our clients are properly compensated for the suffering, distress and loss they have experienced.”

Describing the incident, retired Met police detective chief inspector Mr Benington, said: "It was just a case of grabbing something and hanging on for dear life.

“My wife lost her grip and started to slide across the deck, but I managed to grab hold of her as she went past. She could have slid into the water, which was so cold she would have died.”