Julian Assange has won a bid at the High Court to appeal his extradition to the United States.

The WikiLeaks founder is trying to avoid being prosecuted in the US on espionage charges relating to the publication of thousands of classified and diplomatic documents on the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

In February, lawyers for the 52-year-old asked permission to challenge a previous judge’s dismissal of his case to prevent his extradition.

Dame Victoria Sharp and Justice Johnson dismissed most of Assange’s legal arguments - however said that unless "satisfactory" assurances were given by the US, he would be able to bring an appeal on three grounds.

The two assurances were that the Wikileaks founder would be allowed to rely on the First Amendment's commitment to protecting free speech, and that the death penalty would not be imposed.

Dozens of supporters gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice ahead of the hearing. His lawyers hugged each other after the ruling.