UK sends aid as crisis worsens

Britain is planning to send more advisers to an Iraqi town under threat from Islamic State (IS) extremists amid fears of a humanitarian disaster.

As well as stepping up air drops of essential aid, Downing Street said the number of UK personnel in Irbil would be increased to help deal with the crisis.

The news came amid reports that IS fighters slaughtered hundreds of people from the Yazidi minority religious group. Many more have been driven into the barren Sinjar mountains.