Madonna on return trip to Malawi

Madonna is due to arrive in Malawi, the African country where her adopted son David Banda was born.

The singer is said to be taking David with her to see his natural father.

She says the main purpose of her trip is to see the work of a charity she supports, and denies reports that she plans to adopt a second African child.

The 48-year-old London-based American pop star sparked a furore when she adopted one-year-old David from an orphanage last year.

She was accused by adoption groups of using her celebrity status to bypass laws about foreigners adopting from Malawi - allegations she strenuously denied.

Speaking before Madonna set off for Malawi, her spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said: "She is overseeing the building of a children's healthcare centre. She is absolutely not adopting another baby."

David is living with Madonna and her family in London, after the pop star was granted an interim custody order.

Under the court order, David can live with the singer for 18 months, during which time his progress will be reviewed by Malawi officials.

A High Court ruling allows a coalition of human rights groups to monitor the adoption.

'Saving a life'

The singer helped set up the Raising Malawi charity, which aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country.

Last year, she said she would donate $3m (£1.5m) to the country via the organisation.

In January, she told US talk show host David Letterman she was "saving a life" by taking the child to the UK.

Last November, the 48-year-old told the BBC's Newsnight programme she would consider adopting another child from abroad.

"I wouldn't rule it out... but I would like to experience David for a while and see how it works out," she said.

As well as her adopted son, Madonna has a 10-year-old daughter, Lourdes, and a six-year-old son, Rocco. She is married to British film director Guy Ritchie.