Decisions on the future of four children whose Romanian parents have left the country should be made in an English court, a judge has ruled.

Two of the children were born in the UK while two were born abroad, but all have been in foster care since social workers in Redbridge raised concern about their welfare early this year.

Their parents, who arrived in England more than three years ago but have since moved back to Romania, wanted decisions made in a Romanian court.

However, Judge Carol Atkinson ruled the case should stay in England this week during a hearing at East London Family Court in Docklands.

The judge said the children, aged between 11 and eight months, had a connection to England and would be disrupted if court proceedings moved to Romania.

She said a judge might ultimately decide that the youngsters should go to live in Romania.

The judge has not identified the children, but said they were in the care of social service bosses at Redbridge Council.