Well-wishers have donated more than £65,000 to pay for treatment for a 21-month-old brain damaged boy who has been at the centre of a life-support battle.

A judge on Tuesday ruled that doctors could stop providing treatment to Alfie Evans.

Mr Justice Hayden said he accepted medical evidence which showed further treatment was futile.

The judge, who analysed Alfie’s case at hearings in the Family Division of the High Court, said he had reached his conclusion with great sadness.

Specialists at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool had asked the judge to rule that life-support treatment could stop.

Alfie’s parents Kate James and Tom Evans, who are both in their 20s, wanted treatment to continue.

Mr Evans said he would not give up the fight and was considering an appeal.

Doctors said they planned to end life-support treatment on Friday

More than 3,000 people have donated money to an internet JustGiving appeal.