WORCESTERSHIRE residents with future bookings to The Gambia are told advised to contact their travel company after holidaymakers were told to evacuate the country.

Thousands of UK holidaymakers currently in The Gambia are being flown home amid growing concerns about political unrest in the west African nation.

Travel trade organisation Abta estimated there are around 2,000 people on package holidays in the country, with more than 1,500 others on flight-only trips.

The Foreign Office (FCO) is urging UK citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the popular destination, while Thomas Cook says it had triggered contingency plans to fly home its holiday customers.

The travel advice was made after a 90-day state of emergency was declared in the country, following disputed election results and political deadlock.

The FCO says there is now a "high" risk of military intervention and civil disturbance.

The Gambia's popularity as a winter sun destination has grown in recent years, with holidaymakers drawn to its white sandy beaches and tropical climate, and affordable deals.