British nationals in Chile have been told to keep "a low profile" following "isolated incidents of abuse and physical assaults on persons mistakenly identified as British", said the Foreign Office.

Thirty five Britons travelling in Chile with theholiday company Saga are being offered the chance to fly home or on to other destinations.

There have been violent demonstrations against the arrest across Chile, as well as counter-demonstrations from his political opponents on the left.

Ship shopping trip postponed

The Ministry of Defence earlier confirmed that two Chilean admirals had postponed a visit to Britain.

They were due to have viewed three frigates that are being sold by the Royal Navy.

Vice-admirals Hernan Couioumdjian and Onofre Torres were scheduled to visit Britain last week to see three Type 22 frigates, Beaver, Boxer and London. According to some reports, a sale would have been worth £60m.