The temporary consulate will open just a few weeks each year, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage when over two million Muslims converge on Mecca.

It should be open in time for the next Hajj in March 2000.

The planned opening of the consulate in the Saudi city barred to non-Muslims is a sign of the times.

During the last century, the British Christian explorer, Richard Burton, risked his life by entering the city disguised as a Muslim.

Now more than 20,000 British Muslims are making the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and the British Foreign Office has decided it is time to offer them consular support.

Services needed

The UK's Muslim community numbers around 2.5 million and the number of pilgrims going to Mecca is expected to rise.

The fire that swept through the tent city in 1997.

Already countries like India, Malaysia and Indonesia, that send large numbers of Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, have special Hajj consulates in Mecca.

In recent years, their services have been sorely needed.

The concentration of so many people in one place has led to deadly stampedes and fires that have swept through tents.

Each year the Saudi authorities take further precautions and this year's Hajj was largely free of incident.

Five duties

The Hajj is one of the five pillars, or duties, of the Islamic faith, requiring all able-bodied Muslims to make the journey to Mecca, the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, at least once in their lifetime.

Each year thousands of pilgrims from poorer African and Asian countries try to stay on in Saudi Arabia to work illegally.