The women's amateur team were due to compete in the World Amateur Golf Team Championship beginning on 12 November.

But concerns for player safety in the light of the detention of the former dictator has forced them to pull out.

The participation of the men's team a week later is also in doubt.

The decision came with the House of Lords due to resume hearings on Monday to decide on the legality of General Pinochet's arrest.

Jill Edwards, the chairman of the Ladies' Golf Union, said she had followed the advice of the Foreign Office and the union's legal advisers.

"We are extremely disappointed that we have had to take this course of action," she said.

"But given the recent developments both in Chile and in our own courts we have decided to withdraw the team from the championship."

The combined Britain and Ireland team members for the event were Rebecca Hudson, Becky Morgan, Kim Andrew and captain Claire Dowling.

The equivalent men's event is set for 19-22 November in Santiago.