Britain will expand its support to the Syrian political opposition fighting President Assad, with an extra £5 million of non-lethal practical assistance.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said the financial assistance would help protect civilians from "some of the worst violence".

He said: ""So now in the absence of diplomatic progress, the United Kingdom will do much more."

"We expect that our assistance will include trauma and medical supplies for civilians in areas under regime control and could include items such as paramedic trauma kits, specialist trauma treatment, surgical equipment, field dressings, antibiotics, pain killers and water purification kits to respond to the cutting of fresh water supplies."