France's highest court has suspended a ban on the 'burkini'.

The State Council has overturned the bans operated by around 30 local councils.

However the ruling is only temporary, and will give the court enough time to prepare a longer judgement.

The appeal was brought by the Human Rights League and a group campaigning against Islamophobia.

Both prime minister Manuel Valls, and presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy, have supported a ban on the full body swimwear.

The ban has proved controversial, with police forcing women to remove the outfit on several French bathing spots.