A Muslim woman has been denied access to a public swimming pool in France for wearing a head-to-toe swimsuit.

Emerainville Mayor Alain Kelyor said the 35-year-old woman was not allowed to swim in the pool while wearing the "burkhini".

Officials claimed the outfit was unhygienic and potentially harmful to other swimmers.

The woman, a convert to Islam, complained to police that the ban is discriminatory.

The incident adds to controversy over the wearing of the head-to-toe burkha or other full-body coverings worn by some Muslim fundamentalists. President Nicolas Sarkozy wants them banned.