UK tourists are to receive more specific warnings about potential terror targets abroad in the wake of the Berlin attacks.

The Foreign Office has announced plans to issue British travellers with more detailed advice about the risks they face abroad.

Last month the US state department warned Americans travelling in Europe over Christmas that there was credible evidence that so-called Islamic State (IS) and other terror groups were planning an attack.

They encouraged their citizens to be vigilant around "holiday festivals, events and outdoor markets".

Now the Foreign Office has said that it will reform how it issues travel advice to include more information about targets and the likelihood of an attack.

Tourists will also be told the locations of previous attacks, the tactics terrorists have used, which groups are thought to be active in the area and what the host country is doing to actively counter the threat.

The changes are due to be phased in in the coming months.

In a written ministerial statement the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that the threat from terrorism was “evolving”.

The main international terrorist groups, Daesh, Al Qaeda and their affiliates, “continue to pose a threat to UK interests globally, including British travellers”, he added.

In particular, there has been a “growth of so called “lone wolf” attacks”, like that in Berlin, “which are difficult to predict and disrupt and could take place in almost any country”.

He added: "I am confident that these changes will ensure our travel advice continues to provide effective information to help British travellers make informed decisions about their personal travel plans and security overseas. Our travel advice will continue to reflect the best judgements we can make on the information available to us at the time."

In November the State Department warned U.S. citizens to be alert "to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks throughout Europe, particularly during the holiday season. U.S. citizens should exercise caution at holiday festivals, events, and outdoor markets."

It added: "Credible information indicates the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or Da'esh), al-Qa'ida, and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, with a focus on the upcoming holiday season and associated events. U.S. citizens should also be alert to the possibility that extremist sympathisers or self-radicalised extremists may conduct attacks during this period with little or no warning. Terrorists may employ a wide variety of tactics, using both conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests."

The Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Germany shortly after the Berlin attack.

It warned tourists to avoid the immediate area and "remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities".