Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and French child benefit

THE French public purse will be able to help out new parents, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, should they wish to take take up child benefits to help support their six children.

After giving birth to twins, Knox and Vivienne, in July the family will be eligible to receive around £1,400 a month the Daily Telegraph reports.

Whether the couple, who it is estimated earn around £20 million a year, take up the opportunity to receive the payments is unknown, but it highlights the financial support the French government offers to large families.

Alongside payments linked to the number of children couples have, support is also available for rail travel and parents can take up generous maternity leave, such measure are reflected in France enjoying one of the highest birth rates in Europe.

The official Caisses d'Allocations Familiales oversees the child benefit system, while the Union Nationale des Associations Familiales campaigns for families.