Britain urges ceasefire in Georgia

Foreign Secretary David Miliband expressed fears that the conflict over South Ossetia was spreading to other parts of the region with the prospect of "large scale" civilian losses.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office advised all Britons to leave Georgia as the conflict in the stricken province of South Ossetia continued to escalate.

The department changed its guidance following an upsurge in fighting and has now advised against non-essential travel to Georgia.

Russia, which has moved troops into South Ossetia in response to Georgian military action in the breakaway province, claims that 2,000 have already been killed. Tens of thousands more are said to have fled into Russian territory as violence has increased.

The UK's special representative to the South Caucuses, Sir Brian Fall, is attending emergency talks in Georgia with other officials from the US, European Union, Nato and the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Mr Miliband, who has been in talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other counterparts around the world, said: "The UK Government is deeply concerned by the violence in Georgia. The escalation in fighting is dangerously destabilising and there is also the threat of civilian losses on a large scale.

"Reports of fighting and bombing outside South Ossetia are especially disturbing as they represent a broadening and deepening of the conflict. The UK believes it is vital for leaderships on both sides to call for fighting to cease and for peace talks to start as soon as possible."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has held what was described as "long and detailed" talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the current head of the European Union, regarding the conflict.

Britain is also standing ready to send humanitarian support to the region.