The British government has advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Chile because of what it called the volatile situation there following the detention in Britain of the former Chilean military ruler, General Augusto Pinochet.

In a statement, the Foreign Office also warned British nationals in Chile to keep a low profile, saying there had been reports of isolated attacks there on people mistaken for Britons.

The High Court in London is deciding whether General Pinochet should remain in detention, after a Spanish judge requested his extradition to Spain.

The judge wants him to stand trial on charges of genocide and torture.