A judge in Zimbabwe has ordered the national broadcasting company ZBC to carry advertisements from the National Constitutional Assembly, an umbrella opposition group which is campaigning for a No vote in next month's constitutional referendum.

An opposition spokesman welcomed the decision, but said the group's new programmes would not be ready for a week.

Advertisements for the Yes campaign are already being aired on state radio and television several times a day.

The ZBC rejected the group's programmes last October on the grounds that they weren't balanced.

But the opposition challenged the decision, arguing that it violated the right of free speech. The opposition group objects to the draft constitution, which was drawn up by a government-appointed commission, because it retains considerable powers for the president.

A BBC correspondent in Zimbabwe says the campaign is being seen as an indicator for the parliamentary elections later in the year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service