Hollande has France in hysterics

An unflattering photograph of France's President François Hollande has sparked an internet storm in his country after being leaked to Twitter.

In the image, which French news agency AFP tried to withdraw from circulation, the French president looks like a gormless underachiever as he grins in front of a blackboard on which is written: "Today, it's back to school."

The photograph was taken on Tuesday during Hollande's visit to a school in Denain, northern France, to coincide with the start of the new term. It appears he was pulling a funny face to make the pupils laugh.

The original image came with the caption: "During a visit to the school Denain Michelet, September 3 2013, Francois Hollande smiles, chairing a panel discussion on the reform of school timetables established by the government."

AFP initially posted the picture on its website as available for downloading. But apparently concerned it was inappropriate for a head of state, it later issued a mandatory "kill" notice, meaning the photograph must not be used.

Despite the ban, the image quickly hit social media sites such as Twitter and sparked a flurry of comments.

One wrote: "Here is the new official photo of François Hollande. Please put up in all town halls!"

Another wrote that no amount of photoshop editing software "can make the president look more intelligent".

A third, in a slightly subtler dig at plans to raise the state pension age, suggested Hollande was thinking: "How can I tell them they're going to have to retire at 80?"

Once renowned as being one of France's funniest politicians with a knack for the bon mot, Hollande has toned down his humour since becoming president to accord more closely with the gravitas of his status as French head of state.