Madonna donned a bullet-proof vest when she visited a slum in Brazil, it has been claimed.

The singer is said to have insisted on wearing the protective clothing on a trip to the Dona Marta favela in Rio de Janiero last week.

The Globo newspaper reported that Madge, 51, got armoured up underneath her leather jacket on the 40-minute visit, where she was accompanied by the state governor, Sergio Cabral.

She has raised $10 million to build a school there – similar to the one she built in Malawi.

A representative for the singer was unavailable for comment.