Rihanna has asked the police to return the jewellery they took from her as evidence the night she was allegedly attacked by her boyfriend Chris Brown.

Police took earrings and three rings from the singer after the alleged assault, which took place hours before the Grammy Awards ceremony in February.

The items are worth over $1.4m (£1m) and were on loan from a shop that has now asked the Umbrella star to return them as soon as possible.

Rihanna's lawyer Donald Etra, said the detective overseeing the case did not object to the return of the items.

She told the BBC: "Apparently, initially, the police felt that it would be needed as evidence. Now the belief is that photographs would be more than sufficient.

"That being the case, we're asking the District Attorney to return the pieces."

Chris Brown, 19, was arrested after rowing with Rihanna in a parked car and later said he was "sorry and saddened" by the incident and had already sought counselling.

Last month he was charged with assault and making criminal threats and is next due to appear in court on 29 April. He denies the charges.