Prime Minister Boris Johnson has left intensive care and is "in extremely good spirits" as he continues to battle coronavirus, Downing Street have said.

The 55-year-old has been in ICU at St Thomas' Hospital in central London since Monday night after his COVID-19 symptoms took a turn for the worse, but he is now sufficiently better to be moved back out into the wards.

A spokesman said: "The prime minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery. He is in extremely good spirits."

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab will continue to deputise for Johnson for the time being, although it is unclear whether the PM will have an active role in the ongoing coronavirus crisis as he recovers.

Johnson is expected to require at least three weeks for recovery after spending three nights in intensive care.