The government of Hong Kong has failed in its attempt to have a landmark ruling - that affects gay men younger than 21 - overturned.

Handing down its judgement on Wednesday morning, the panel of three judges upheld the original decision issued by the lower court last year that a higher age of consent for gays than for heterosexuals and lesbians - for whom consent is granted at 16 - is discriminatory and unconstitutional.

Last August, Judge Michael Hartmann ruled that the anti-gay laws "discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation" and "are demeaning of gay men who are, through the legislation, stereotyped as deviant."

The judicial review was sought by 21-year-old William Leung in 2004 who argued he should be able to have a sexual relationship without the fear of imprisonment.

Watch this space, a more comprehensive report will be published tomorrow.