The mother of a 12-year-old boy left in a comatose state after suffering "catastrophic" brain damage three months ago has said she will continue to fight after appeal judges ruled doctors can lawfully stop providing life-support treatment.

Three Court of Appeal judges today delivered the ruling about what moves are in the best interests of Archie Battersbee, from Southend.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Peter Jackson had considered arguments at a hearing at the Court of Appeal in London last week.

A lawyer representing Archie's parents said his mother Hollie Dance thought her son had been trying to breathe independently.

Read more >>> Doctors can stop providing life-support treatment to Archie, appeal judges rule

Judges were also told that Archie's father had been taken ill shortly before the appeal court hearing and had gone to hospital, but the judges did not allow this to delay their ruling.

Archie's parents are being support by a campaign organisation called the Christian Legal Centre.

Andrea Williams, its chief executive, said outside court: "I am very disappointed that they have not adjourned this decision given that Mr Battersbee has been taken to hospital.

"I've been in touch with Archie's mother - she is disgusted."

Sir Andrew, said in a detailed ruling on the appeal bid, that medical staff had seen "no signs of life" in Archie.

He said the case had received widespread media coverage - including a photograph of Archie.

"Archie is no longer the boy in the photograph," said Sir Andrew.

"He is someone whose every bodily function is now maintained by artificial means."

Read more >>> Archie's dad in hospital after he 'might have suffered heart attack or stroke'

Archie's parents had mounted an appeal bid after complaining that Mr Justice Hayden had based his decision on Archie's "medical best interests", not his "best interests in the wider sense", Sir Andrew McFarlane said.

They said Mr Justice Hayden had not carried out a "careful" and "comprehensive" evaluation of the benefits and burdens of continued "life-sustaining treatment".

But Sir Andrew said the challenge by Archie's parents had no "reasonable prospect" of success.

"It is clear to me that (Mr Justice Hayden) discharged the important responsibility laid upon him carefully," he said.

"I do not accept there is any prospect of the decision being shown to be wrong or unjust."

Lady Justice King and Lord Justice Jackson said they agreed.

Barrister Edward Devereux QC, indicated that Archie's parents wanted to ask the European Court of Human Rights to consider the case.

Appeal judges said they would "stay" the ending of Archie Battersbee's treatment for 48 hours to allow his parents time to approach the European court.

Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, from Southend, said afterwards that she would continue to fight and was considering legal options.

Hollie Dance said she thought judges had been "insensitive" in deciding not to adjourn the hearing because of Paul Battersbee's health difficulties.