Jackson seen in female disguise

Jackson was shopping with his children

Pop star Michael Jackson was spotted out shopping in Bahrain wearing traditional women's attire.

He was out with his three children when he was seen wearing the veil, abaya and gloves typically worn by conservative Bahraini women.

The children's faces were shrouded by dark scarves.

Jackson has settled in the Persian Gulf since quitting his Neverland ranch in Los Angeles after his acquittal on child molestation charges.

His father has said it is unlikely he will return to the US to live.

Scared children

In November Jackson was caught up in controversy when he entered a ladies toilet in the United Arab Emirates. His publicist said it had simply been a mistake and he had quickly exited.

On his trip to a shopping mall in Bahrain's capital Manama he was escorted out via a back door in an attempt to avoid photographers.

After an assistant asked photographers to stand back because they were scaring the children, the whole party left in a white sports utility vehicle.

Since the end of his trial he has continued to be dogged by legal problems.

A former adviser is suing him for $64m (£37m), alleging breach of contract and fraud, while a vet is also taking legal action to retrieve an alleged unpaid bill of $91,602 (£51,729).