Former French film star Brigitte Bardot has threatened to apply for Russian citizenship unless France stops two sick zoo elephants from being put down.

The animals, which suffer from tuberculosis, were due to be killed in December, but were granted a reprieve until after Christmas.

Ms Bardot said she would move abroad if the reprieve was not made permanent.

Fellow actor Gerard Depardieu obtained a Russian passport this week following a tax row with the French government.

Mr Depardieu had earlier threatened to move to Belgium to avoid higher taxes.

After the government criticised his decision, he declared he would give up his French nationality.