Serial killer Levi Bellfield is claiming compensation after he was allegedly attacked in prison.

Bellfield’s lawyers said he had suffered facial injuries while serving a life-sentence in Wakefield Prison in West Yorkshire.

He is claiming he was cut in the incident which occurred before his trial for the murder of 13-year-old Walton-on-Thames schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

The prison service has admitted liability but said they had not received a claim from Bellfield’s representatives, who have reportedly been instructed to seek compensation for personal injury.

An HM Prison Service spokesman said: "An admission of liability does not mean compensation will automatically be paid.

"We have not received a detailed claim for compensation from Mr Bellfield or his legal representatives.

"For this reason it would be entirely inappropriate to comment any further at this stage."

Bellfield, a former wheelclamper and nightclub bouncer, was sentenced to life imprisonment in June after being convicted of abducting and murdering Milly Dowler in March 2002.

He was already serving a life term for murdering Marsha McDonnell, 19, in 2003 and murdering Amelie Delagrange, 22, and attempting to murder Kate Sheedy, 18, in 2004.

Jeremy Moore, of Carter Moore solicitors, said: "Our client was injured after the prison authorities, in breach of the duty of care which they owe to every prisoner, housed him on a wing of the prison that was unsuitable for a prisoner of his category.

"Subsequently, Mr Bellfield was attacked with a makeshift weapon by another prisoner causing injuries to his face and mouth.

"In February 2011 the prison authorities admitted full liability for this incident.

"We would add that, as with every UK citizen, our client has a right to seek compensation for injuries resulting from a negligent act or omission as a result of which he has suffered injury."