An Italian court on Friday rejected a consumer watchdog attempt to block a government plan to lend 3.9 billion euros (3.4 billion pounds) to troubled lender Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena .

In a judicial ruling, the Rome region court rejected the bid by consumer rights' association Codacons to have the loans blocked on grounds the bailout was harmful to Italy.

Codacons, which wants the world's oldest bank to be nationalised, may appeal the decision to a higher tribunal.

Tuscan lender Monte Paschi was forced to request state aid last year after failing to meet tough capital requirements set by the European Banking Authority.

(Reporting by Virginia Alimenti, Writing by Naomi O'Leary)