Campaigners to appeal North abortion ruling

The North's Family Planning Association has lodged an appeal against the results of a judicial review of abortion services carried out earlier this month.

The review found that health authorities in the North were not obliged to devise regulations setting out when doctors can legally carry out abortions.

The FPA had asked for the review in an effort to force officials to issue termination guidelines.

At present, abortions are only legal in the North if the mother's life is in danger or if there is a serious threat to her mental or physical well-being.

This is significantly different to Britain, where abortions are freely available to women.