A French court has recognised a woman’s alleged allergy to wi-fi as a medical disorder.

Marine Richard, 39, was awarded a £500 monthly disability allowance after she convinced the Marseilles court she had been forced to retire from urban areas as a result of her allergy.

Ms Richard’s condition, which remains unsubstantiated by medical experts, is known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and sufferers’ claim exposure to mobile phones, Wi-Fi and televisions can cause severe discomfort.

“This is a breakthrough,” Ms Richard, who has reportedly been forced to live in a barn without electricity in the rural Ariège département, said of the court case.

Her lawyer, Alice Terrasse, told The Times that the ruling set a legal precedent for “thousands of people”.

EHS campaigners – who celebrated the former radio producer’s successful case – have persuaded some local authorities to move mobile phone towers after residents complained.