A majority of the British public are in favour of banning the burka in public, a poll has found, while almost half say the burkini should be prohibited.

The findings come as a controversial ban on the burkini in France has stirred debate on the subject of Muslim clothing.

Although the country's highest administrative court overturned the ban on the Islamic swimsuit on Friday, mayors have vowed to defy the ruling.

The issue has been widely debated in Britain ever since France became the first European country to ban the burqa - the Islamic full-face veil - in 2011.

According to the YouGov survey, 57% of respondents in the UK supported banning the veil in public places, while 25% were against outlawing it.