The UK has issued an urgent travel warning to Britons in Qatar amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

British nationals must now "shelter in place", the Foreign Office has said.

In its update, the FCDO told Britons: "Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice.

"Follow instructions from local authorities. The FCDO is in contact with local authorities and international partners, and will provide further updates as the situation develops."

The Foreign Office's short update came just a few hours after the US Embassy in Qatar emailed its own "shelter in place" alert to Americans in the country.

The US message notes that the recommendation is “out of an abundance of caution” and offers no further information.