Spain's national court has rejected moves by refugee rights groups to stop the government sending backing under-age migrants to Morocco from Spain's African city of Ceuta.

The court said it would not uphold an earlier suspension, but warned that the repatriation policy might breach human rights.

The Spanish government wants to return about 700 young Moroccans who were among thousands encouraged to cross into Ceuta in May, during a dispute with Rabat about Western Sahara - a former Spanish colony now ruled by Morocco.

Repatriations were supposed to start last Friday, but several of the youths due to be sent back mounted a challenge.