CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a tug-of-love tot from Runcorn this week vowed to carry on their battle to reunite her with her grandparents.

The youngster was taken away from them last Thursday by social workers.

But supporters of the 66-year-old granddad and his 63-year-old wife plan to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in a desparate attempt to overturn a judge's decision after the couple were denied the right to raise their granddaughter.

The couple took her into their home 16 months ago when she was only three weeks old because their son and daughter-in-law were unable to care for her.

Every month, her devoted grandfather would go to the family court to obtain a care order for the child, but when they tried to foster her, their application was refused.

Liverpool Social Services then broke the heartbreaking news that their granddaughter would be put up for adoption.

The anguished grandparents were told that she would go to her new home on Friday, but police officers and social workers went to their bungalow on Thursday afternoon and took her away.

More than 50 supporters of the couple staged a peaceful demonstration outside their home on Friday.

Campaigner Noreen Scott, a 40-year-old mother of five who lives near to the couple, said: "It's disgusting what they have done to them. Social services should be looking to help them.

"You think of the number of children out there who are abused and neglected and then you see cases like this. Why did they get involved in the first place?"

Thousands of signatures have already been placed on a petition supporting the couple, which campaigners plan to take to Runcorn and Liverpool Town Hall and Downing Street.

Family friend and campaigner Chris Beardsmore said: "They are devastated. Nobody can understand why they have done this.

"I cannot believe these people can be so cruel."

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