1,000 Britons on holiday evacuated from Gambia

Thomas Cook evacuates 1,000 British holiday makers from Gambia amid fears the country is on the brink of civil war after president refuses to step down despite losing election 

• Nearly 1,000 Britons on holiday will be flown back to the UK from Gambia

• Thousands more travelling independently also offered places on rescue planes 

• The Foreign Office has warned against all but essential travel to the country.  

• President Yahya Jammeh has declared state of emergency in the African nation

• He lost election earlier this month and was supposed to cede power this week 

Thomas Cook is today sending jets to Gambia to evacuate 1,000 tourists - and needs to trace thousands more - amid fears the country is on the brink of civil war.

President Yahya Jammeh is refusing to step aside after he lost the election to opposition leader Adama Barrow and a 90-day state of emergency has been declared in the west African state.

Thomas Cook is sending four extra planes to fly 1,000 of its package holidaymakers home from today - but up to 5,000 holidaymakers are believed to be in the country.

Thousands who flew to the country and chose to travel independently are also being urged to get to the airport and will be 'offered the earliest possible flight'.

The Foreign Office has now urged against all but essential travel to Gambia because of the political turmoil there.

A 90-day state of emergency has been declared in the country where political deadlock has led to a 'high' risk of military intervention and civil disturbance, the FCO said.

The country's president, Yahya Jammeh, has refused to hand over power after losing an election and on Tuesday banned 'any acts of disobedience' while urging security forces to maintain order.

A group of west African nations has threatened to take military action if Mr Jammeh does not cede power to his successor, Adama Barrow, by a deadline later this week.

Mr Barrow once worked as an Argos security guard in north London. 

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) estimates there are around 2,000 people are currently on holiday with its members in Gambia, while an additional number will have travelled there independently.