A fertility clinic doctor in the Netherlands fathered 49 children, after using his own sperm rather than that of donors.

Jan Karbaat, who died in April 2017 aged 89, denied the accusations and refused to cooperate with those potentially affected.

DNA samples were examined at the Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital in Nijmegen.

The Defence for Children group, which represented parents and children, said in a statement: "This finally gives them clarity about their descent."

It also said it was pleased that "the years of unrest and uncertainty that the late Mr Karbaat" caused had "finally come to an end".

The results of the tests confirmed suspicions that Mr Karbaat used his own sperm in the clinic.

In 2017, he was taken to court by a group of donor children and their parents.

According to the judge, the importance of the children knowing who they are descended from outweighed other issues.

Iara de Witte, an adviser at Defence for Children, said: "The judge placed the interest of the child above the right to privacy of Mr Karbaat and his family.

"After years of uncertainty, the plaintiffs are finally closing a period and they can start processing the fact that they are one of [his] many descendants".

Mr Karbaat worked at the fertility clinic from 1980 until it was closed in 2009.