Anti-government protesters have been in the square for weeks The UK Foreign Office (FCO) has urged Britons to leave Bahrain on Thursday, as violence and protests continue.
The government has organised charter flights to Dubai, to supplement the number of commercial flights available.The FCO advised UK nationals without a "pressing reason" to stay to leave via the international airport on 17 March on commercial or UK-chartered flights.
Security forces with tanks have moved in on anti-government protesters, in the Gulf state's capital Manama.
The protesters have been camped in a square in the city for weeks.
Foreign Secretary William Hague has spoken to his Bahraini counterpart to express "serious concern" at the situation on the ground.
At least three civilians were reportedly killed after police fired on mainly Shia protesters. Officials said three police also died.
Troops have taken over a hospital treating the wounded. Officials have imposed a curfew and banned protests.
The country's Sunni rulers on Tuesday called in Saudi troops to keep order.
Bahrain's health minister, himself a Shia, has resigned in protest against the government's use of force, and the BBC's Caroline Hawley in Manama says Shia judges have resigned en masse.
Dubai flights Bahrain - which has a population of 800,000 and is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet - is the first Gulf country to be thrown into turmoil by the wave of unrest sweeping the Arab world. Protests there began last month.
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End Quote William Hague Foreign SecretaryThe UK remains seriously concerned about... clashes with protesters and reports of several casualties”
As of 0600 Bahrain time on Thursday (0300 GMT) the UK Foreign Office said an embassy team had been assessing routes to the airport and issued advice on its website about which roads were safe to use, albeit "with caution".
It said travel on the main routes of the island, during daylight hours, was "orderly if slow in some places, because of police checkpoints".The advice added: "You should exercise caution in particular on any routes you use to get to these main routes and consider carefully the situation in your local vicinity before you leave."
It said the first option for Britons wanting to fly out should be commercial services, which were operating normally.
An FCO spokeswoman added that each government-chartered Dubai flight would have 160 seats available.
"We will assess the need for the number of flights based on demand. British Embassy staff will be on hand in Dubai to help people access commercial flights," she added.
The FCO said those wishing to leave but unable to get commercial tickets should register their interest for the Dubai route by calling +44 20 7008 5900.
'Legitimate aspirations' The Foreign Office estimates there are several thousand Britons in Bahrain at any one time.
Prime Minister David Cameron has called on the King of Bahrain to end the violent suppression of street protests.
He spoke by phone to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa and called for restraint from all sides in the escalating stand-off.
Meanwhile Mr Hague spoke to Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa to urge restraint on all sides and to emphasise the need for a return to law and order.
Mr Hague said: "The UK remains seriously concerned about today's clashes with protesters and reports of several casualties.
"I call on all parties to engage in an open and constructive national dialogue, so that it is translated as soon as possible into tangible actions that respond to the legitimate aspirations of the Bahraini people."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12768184
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