A motorcyclist left paralysed in a crash after two schoolgirls allegedly stepped into his path is suing them for more than £300,000 in damages.

Dennis Porter, 60, is said to have swerved to avoid sixth formers Charlotte Humphries and Gemma McMillan when they walked into moving traffic on their way home from school in Hackbridge in 2008.

Mr Porter said he hit the brakes and avoided the girls, now both 19, but skidded into the path of an oncoming Ford Transit van.

His lawyers, Bikelawyer, said the incident left him quadriplegic and he will be reliant upon the care of his family for the rest of his life.

Mr Porter, from Wimbledon, has claimed the girls are guilty of negligence for failing to use a crossing, crossing the road in an unsafe way, and walking into the path of his motorcycle.

He is seeking damages for the "catastrophic injuries" he suffered.

A writ has been issued to the High Court.

It said Miss Humphries, of London Road, Hackbridge, and Miss McMillan of Reigate Avenue, Sutton, were travelling home from school, getting off the 151 bus at about 4.45pm on June 30, near to Miss Humphries' home.

It said: "Instead of walking further north to use the pedestrian crossing, the defendants walked south along the eastern footway until they were almost opposite [Miss Humphries' address] and then attempted to cross the road between slow-moving traffic.

"Two motorcycles passed [Miss Humphries] who then moved to the offside and began to filter past motor cars while, nevertheless remaining on his own side of the road.

"He was aware there was a 30mph speed limit and he negotiated a left hand bend appropriately and within a the speed limit before straightening up."

"As he did so the defendants suddenly and without warning emerged from between slow moving traffic from the right and established themselves past the white centre line in the claimant's path, unable to proceed through the northbound traffic."

"The claimant immediately engaged his brakes and swerved so as to avoid striking the defendants. He missed them but instead skidded in to the path of an oncoming Ford Transit van, whereby he sustained catastrophic injuries."

The two teenagers now have a chance to lodge a defence.