Spain'stop court has overruled a ban on bullfighting in Catalonia, in a move criticised by animal rights campaigners that will likely increase tensions between Madrid and the separatist region.

The constitutional court upheld an appeal lodged by Spain’s ruling Popular Party that argued bullfighting was classified as part of Spain's heritage and therefore had nationwide protection.

The ban has been declared "unconstitutional and void," it said.

Catalonia's authorities quickly vowed to prevent the return of matadors to arenas, which have stood empty since January 2012.

“We will not accept modifications to what the [Catalan] Parliament approved,” said Josep Rull, the region’s environment chief.

But supporters of bullfighting in the region celebrated the court’s decision.

“I am no longer illegal, I am free again,” the Catalan matador Serafín Marín wrote on Twitter.