South Sudan says it has repulsed an offensive by Sudanese forces on its positions near the disputed border oil town of Heglig.

South Sudan Vice-President Riek Machar said the fighting took place on Friday 30km (18 miles) north of Heglig. Sudan’s government says it expects the next few hours to be decisive. South Sudan seized the oil field on Tuesday, sparking international condemnation and fears of a wider war with its northern neighbour. South Sudan entered the oil field in response to what it said were attacks from north of the border. The African Union has demanded an unconditional withdrawal. The South seceded nine months ago in a deal that ended decades of civil war but there remain a number of major disputes, including oil