Madonna appeals Malawi adoption ruling

Madonna's lawyer has confirmed that the singer is appealing against a decision which prevents her from adopting a second Malawian child.

The popstar's request to make four-year old girl Chifundo "Mercy" James part of her family was denied by a judge at the country's High Court earlier today. The reason for the rejection was understood to be a law requiring adoptive parents to be resident in the country for 18-24 months.

According to the Daily Mail, Madonna's legal representative Alan Chinula later announced: "I just filed the notice of appeal this afternoon on instructions from my client."

Madonna arrived in the country on Sunday ahead of the adoption hearing and is said to have gone straight to the gym after learning today's verdict against her.

The young girl at the centre of the legal bid was chosen from the same orphanage as the 50-year-old star's son David Banda.