The results of any paternity test for "boy dad" Alfie Patten will remain a closely guarded secret after a ruling by a High Court judge.

A media blackout was imposed on Wednesday to stop newspapers and broadcasters publishing any new details in the case of a 13-year-old boy who reportedly became a father.

Last week The Sun revealed how Alfie of Western Road, Hailsham, had "fathered" Maisie Roxanne Stedman with his 15-year-old girlfriend Chantelle Stedman, of Central Avenue, Eastbourne.

Days later two other boys claimed they could also be the father, prompting young Alfie to submit to a paternity test that is pending.

But under Wednesday's ruling, imposed by High Court Justice Florence Baron, journalists are banned from reporting any new details of the case — including any information that could prove or disprove Alfie's paternity.

Following a court hearing in private, a statement was read to reporters explaining the judge's reasons for making the order.

It said that "the private and family life of the mother and her baby has been disrupted to such an extent that the judge was concerned about the mother and baby being unable to live a normal family life."

Alfie's publicist, Max Clifford, said the situation was “strange”.