A renowned author may become England's first saint for 300 years after Catholic couples claimed he answered their prayers for "miracle" children.

G.K Chesterton is best known for his short stories featuring the character Father Brown, a crime solving priest loosely based on the man who was involved in his conversion to Catholicism in 1922.

But now he could become England's first Roman Catholic saint since the 17th century, after an official report examining the strength of his case is published next month.

The Daily Telegraph understands that the document, commissioned by the Bishop of Northampton, will show that Catholics are praying to Chesterton and asking for intercession - his intervention in their lives.

It will also dispute claims that Chesterton held anti-Semitic views and used Jewish character tropes in his work.