The Type-23 frigate HMS Westminster has been sent on the orders of Prime Minister Gordon Brown as Britain takes over chairmanship of the UN Security Council.

Commander Ken Houlberg and his crew hope to take part in an international relief effort to help an estimated two million people facing famine and disease.

But Burma is still continuing to reject international help.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said Westminster was still on her way to Burma and would not enter that country's boundaries.

He said: 'She has yet to arrive there and it is expected she will lay up in international waters.'

The PM urged the Burmese authorities yesterday to give unfettered access to humanitarian agencies trying to help survivors.

Mr Brown said the authorities' failure to co-operate was completely unacceptable and pledged that Britain would use its chairmanship of the UN Security Council to press for action.