Continental Airlines has been cleared of involvement in the crash of an Air France Concorde in July 2000 by a French court of appeals.

The American carrier had been held criminally responsible for the crash after a piece of metal from one of its aircraft was blamed for causing the disaster.

The Concorde jet crashed in Paris with the loss of 113 lives.

The latest ruling comes two years after another French court fined the airline.

However, Continental may still be liable for damages after the court said the firm still bore civil responsibility.

Continental labelled the initial court decision and its explanation absurd, and launched an appeal.

The Air France Concorde burst into flames and crashed into nearby buildings after it took off from Charles de Gaulle airport, killing all 109 people on board and four hotel workers.