The BBC has garnered one million global downloads for its iPad news application, which has been refused release in the UK, reports digital spy.

The ad-funded news app, which the BBC had hoped to launch ad-free in the UK in April, was delayed after the BBC Trust announced a review following commercial objections.

The Trust will review its decision to allow the BBC News and BBC Sport apps in the country, following opposition from the Newspapers Publishers Association (NPA) this March.

The NPA argues that the corporation should not be permitted to launch the apps without an assessment of the impact of such a move on commercial rivals.

The broadcaster's commercial arm was given permission in 2007 to carry advertising on its digital properties in overseas markets.