Germany's governing Social Democrats have demanded the re-run of a state election following the latest revelations of financial irregularities by the party of the former chancellor, Helmut Kohl.

It emerged on Friday that the Christian Democrat party, the CDU, in the state of Hesse, had secretly brought millions of dollars back into the country in contravention of regulations governing the funding of political parties.

The Social Democrats in Berlin now say the CDU's narrow election victory in Hesse last year should be declared void.

The BBC Berlin correspondent says CDU supporters are in a state of shock at the continuing revelations over the funding scandal that has already dented the reputation of Mr Kohl and his successor as party leader, Wolfgang Schauble. Mr Kohl is facing a criminal investigation for his handling of CDU party accounts and undeclared donations.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service