At least one thousand refugees have arrived in the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, after fleeing from northern areas of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

A BBC correspondent in Bangui says that the refugees have been given temporary shelter at a police station in the capital before being handed over to the United Nations Refugee agency.

The refugees, who travelled on canoes and ferries across the Oubangui river from the town of Zongo said they fled following reports that rebel forces were nearing the town.