When tourists become targets

Tonight there are 20,000 UK travellers in Tunisa, sent by many of the biggest tour operators.

Yet as holidaymakers cower in their hotels, bewildered and afraid, questions are emerging about the system of warnings that should alert tourists to heightened risks.

In March two gunmen started shooting at Tunisia's Bardo Museum. One British tourist was among 23 killed.

Although the Foreign Office said further attacks were possible, it did not advise against holiday travel.

In 2013 a man blew himself up outside a hotel in Sousse.

Although the Foreign Office advises against travel to Tunisia's border with Libya and the Tunisia- Algeria border, the most popular holiday destinations are along the Mediterranean coast - where Sousse is the largest resort.

Here the Foreign Office advises "most visits are trouble free".

Last November, Foreign Office travel advice for 225 countries was updated.

Due to a threat of retaliation for UK involvement in attacks on the Islamic State, tourists were told to be vigilant at all times.

But is it advice that is too general and unspecific to be of real value?

People who now cancel travel to Tunisia are not entitled to a refund until the Foreign Office changes its official advice.

Some tour operators have said customers can amend bookings at no charge.

Tonight holiday flights are still leaving for Tunisia - with travel firms saying its up to individual travellers to decide if they want to go.