US vice president and Christian Mike Pence has told crowds at the world's biggest pro-life rally that putting an end to taxpayer-funded abortions is an importan

Speaking close to the Washington Monument on Friday, Mr Pence said the US Declaration of Independence intended "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" to include each American, including unborn babies.

He said the Trump administration would "work with the Congress to end taxpayer funding of abortion and abortion providers, and we will devote those resources to health care services for women across America".

Now in its 44th year, March for Life is an annual rally which marks the 1973 US Supreme Court case of Roe v Wade which legalised abortion.

Derrick Jones from National Right to Life attended the demonstration and told Premier he's optimistic campaigners can affect change under the presidency of Donald Trump.

He said: "We're hopeful that we have four years here to impact public policy and to enact more legislation that seeks to help mothers and protect their children.

Referring to the Republican presence at the White House and the United States Capitol, he added: "We certainly are prepared to take full advantage of the fact that we have pro-lifers at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue."