Cheryl Cole `granted injunction against paparazzi`

The 27-year-old singer has kept a low profile since her shock departure from the US X Factor, and according to the Daily Star, the order has been granted by the High Court meaning that anyone who takes her picture without permission could face jail.

The court order is believed to have been issued against 'XYZ and others', meaning anyone who has photographed her 'at her home and in the street during 2011'.

And it warns, 'Any person who knows of this order and disobeys this order...may be held to be in contempt of court and may be imprisoned, fined or have their assets seized.'

It also bans photographers from following her, 'whether by car, van, motorcycle, or by any means howsoever', or coming within 100m of her home.

But media lawyer Ambi Sitham warned that the ruling, which was 'pretty much the first of its kind', could lead to innocent fans being prosecuted.

She said, 'What it means is her loyal fans who may be camping out to see if she is OK after the US X Factor fiasco and may snap a quick photo may also be caught out by the terms of the order.

'This is a hugely significant injunction as it is likely many other celebrities will follow in applying for similar orders.

'It is likely to come under much criticism as the general public will find it very odd that a celebrity will be happily posing for a photo at an event, and indeed will want their photo taken, yet someone can go to jail for taking a paparazzi photo of them.'

The exact reasons for the order being granted on June 15 have not been revealed.