Reports from Sierra Leone say heavy gunfire has been heard on the outskirts of the capital, Freetown, amid reports of a rebel attack.

Eyewitnesses say civilians have been moving into the city centre during the night, coming from the eastern suburbs.

A spokesman for the Nigerian-led intervention force protecting Freetown said it was not clear what was taking place.

Some reports said the rebels were moving in from hills overlooking Freetown, but this has not been confirmed.

On Tuesday, Nigerian jets bombed suspected rebel positions just outside the city, as well as a rebel base further north.

The rebels, together with remnants of the military government ousted last year, have made recent gains in the north of Sierra Leone.