Catholic Care, a Catholic adoption agency, has won a battle against a law which would make it illegal not to place children with gay couples.

The agency appealed in the High Court against the Sexual Orientation Regulations saying that, rather than comply with the law, it would have to close its operations which would result in the suffering of children and potential parents.

Mr Justice Briggs ruled in favour of Catholic Care which means it will no longer have to comply with the Sexual Orientation Regulations.

Catholic Care's plea for an exemption to the regulations was originally challenged by the Charity Commission. The  judge ordered the Commission to the pay Catholic Care's legal costs, which has been estimated at over £100,000.