A severely disabled baby who has been on a ventilator since he was just 18 minutes old should be allowed to die - despite protests from his parents, a High Court judge has ruled.

The Family Division court heard that the boy, now three and a half months old, suffered from the most severe type of spinal muscular atrophy, which affects nerve cells connecting muscles to the brain and spinal cord.

He had been put on a ventilator 18 minutes after being born, and had spent the entirety of his short life in intensive care.

Specialists said the condition was degenerative and incurable, and said there was no prospect of him ever leaving intensive care.

Hospital bosses at the Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust went to court to ask for permission to withdraw life-sustaining treatment, arguing that the burden it was placing on the child far outweighed any benefits.

The boy's parents argued against withdrawal, claiming he experienced pleasure and smiled every day, describing him as "amazing" and a "fighter".

His life had not yet reached the point where it should end, they said.

But Mr Justice Hayden said he felt that a move to palliative care was in the baby's best interests.

He praised the couple's devotion to their son, saying they had brought "sunshine" into his life - but said evidence showed that the child's everyday life was marred by pain.

He said he had to confront not only the importance of life, but also the quality. The little boy's dignity and autonomy had to be respected, he added.

The baby's mother - who cannot be named for legal reasons - broke down in tears as the judge announced his conclusion.