Judge could announce verdict on US treatment bid for sick baby Charlie

A couple who want to take their sick baby son to the US for treatment may soon discover if they have won a High Court fight with doctors.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London think it is time to stop providing life support treatment to eight-month-old Charlie Gard.

Doctors say Charlie, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, should move to a palliative care regime.

Charlie's parents postman Chris Gard and Connie Yates, of Bedfont, west London, disagree and want to be allowed to take him to a hospital in the US for a treatment trial.

Mr Justice Francis has been asked to make decisions about what is in Charlie's best interests and said he might announce his decision on Friday.

The judge is analysing evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

He has been told Charlie, who was born on August 4 2016, has a form of mitochondrial disease, a condition which causes progressive muscle weakness.

The couple - both in their early 30s - launched an appeal on the GoFundMe website two months ago, saying they needed £1.2 million to fund treatment.

They reached their target on Sunday and more than 80,000 people have donated money.