The end of the so called 'bra wars' between the European Union and China could have reached a conclusion.

Talks between the parties have ended with the agreement, which still has to be finalised by the 25 EU states, that the EU will release half of the estimated 80 million items of clothing imported from China being held at EU ports.

However, half of the goods will count against 2006 quotas.

'Bra wars' began earlier this year after a number of EU states called for tighter protection for their clothes manufacturers from countries such as China.