Faroe Islands scraps one of Europe's strictest abortion laws

Politicians in the self-governing Danish territory have voted to overturn legislation which banned abortion in most cases.

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Previous legislation allowed abortions only in certain circumstances - such as rape, incest or risk to the health of the pregnant woman - and meant the self-governing Danish territory had among the most restrictive abortion policies in Europe.

Following a heated parliamentary debate, the decision came down to the wire, with MPs narrowly voting in favour of the reform, by 17 to 16.

"This is truly an historic day in the Faroe Islands," said Ingilín Didriksen Strømm, one of the four MPs who tabled the bill.

Strømm told the BBC: "This change finally affirms women's autonomy over their own bodies in the Faroe Islands."