China's Supreme Court said it had approved the death sentence against British national Akmal Shaikh, state media said, in the first official confirmation that his execution would go forward.

Shaikh, a 53-year-old father-of-three who supporters say suffers from bipolar disorder, was sentenced to death last year for drug smuggling. His lawyers have said his execution was due to take place at 10:30 am (0230 GMT).