BRITISH AIRWAYS has suspended all direct flights to mainland China in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

The company has apologised to customers for the inconvenience but said the safety of passengers and crew is its priority.

Anyone due to fly to or from China with BA in the coming days is urged to contact the airline for more information.

The Foreign Office has warned against "all but essential travel" to mainland China.

The virus has caused more than 100 deaths, spreading across China and to at least 16 other countries.

And hundreds of foreign nationals have been evacuated from the city of Wuhan, the centre of the outbreak.

The UK government is arranging to evacuate Britons from Wuhan and the surrounding area, with up to 300 British people thought to be in the area.