The Foreign Office has advised Britons to avoid all travel to Bahrain amid escalating unrest.

The warning comes as anti-government protesters, inspired by recent events in Tunisia and Egypt, continue to clash with police in increasingly intense scenarios. In response, the Foreign Office website now advises citizens to cancel all travel plans to the troubled country and that Britons already in Bahrain need to stay home and await further advice.

FCO officials have also urged Bahrain’s authorities to use restraint and to forgo excessive force in dealing with the protesters. An official statement also mentioned that fresh reports have indicated that Saudi Soldiers were poised to travel to Bahrain.

The news marks an upgrade in safety advice from the FCO following last month’s bulletin advising Britons against all unessential travel to Bahrain. However the agency now warns that the risk of violence is now greater and that Britons in Bahrain must exercise a ‘high level of awareness’ and should steer clear of demonstrations and large crowds.

Sunday saw security officials fire at protesters with rubber bullets and tear gas after they had blocked roadways leading to the financial centre in Manama, the Bahrainian capital. Meanwhile, some of the most intense clashes seen yet were reported on a university campus and in Manama’s central square.