Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie win privacy damages

Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have accepted an undisclosed sum in settlement of their privacy claim against the News of the World.

The couple sued the newspaper over a story saying they would separate and had agreed custody arrangements.

Appearing in London's high court, the couple's lawyer said that News Group Newspapers now accepted the allegations were "false and intrusive".

The couple were not present for the hearing.

"In consequence, when the News of the World failed to publicly retract the allegations and apologise for them - thereby leaving their readers in the dark as to the true position - the couple felt they had no alternative than to sue," the Independent quoted advocate Keith Schilling as saying.

"Today's victory marks the end of the litigation brought by Brad and Angelina," Schilling added.