SUPERSTAR couple David and Victoria Beckham have lost their High Court bid to ban a book based on personal revelations by Bolton minder Mark Niblett.

But the famous pair are still set to pursue damages against Mr Niblett, aged 40, accusing him of breaching a confidentiality clause in his employment contract.

Mr Niblett is currently barred from disclosing any further details about the couple and their son Brooklyn.

His lawyers were yesterday engaged in a private hearing before the High Court judge relating to freezing an order on money due to him for his part in the preparation of the book.

The Beckhams wanted to stop Princess Diana author Andrew Morton from publishing the book containing "kiss-and-tell" details supplied by Mr Niblett, who worked for the couple for seven months until he left in May this year.

Lawyers for the Manchester United footballer Becks and Posh Spice were forced to allow the book to go ahead after a confidential settlement was reached yesterday, but insisted it did not mean the couple endorsed its contents.

They had objected to large sections of the 60,000 word manuscript. It is reported that 200 words have been cut.

Both sides said afterwards they were pleased. David and Victoria Beckham with son Brooklyn