The British and American embassies in India have issued warnings about a potential terrorist threat at the annual camel fair in the western state of Rajasthan.

Known as the Pushkar Mela, the weeklong fair which opens on Thursday attracts thousands of Indian and foreign tourists to the lakeside town of Pushkar in the desert state.

Both embassies say that while they have no indication of a specific threat to their citizens at the fair, they advise against attending.

The two countries had advised their citizens to leave the country in June when tension between India and Pakistan threatened to blow into a fully-fledged war between the nuclear capable neighbours.

Blow

The British Foreign Office travel advice states "Pushkar Mela... is assessed as being a potential target of terrorist activity".

The US Embassy says "Information has been received which suggests that there is a risk of terrorist activity at the Pushkar Camel Fair/Mela".

The colourful fair will go on for a week

Rajasthan officials say they have made massive security arrangements for the fair.

The state's Inspector General of Police for Law and Order, A K Jain, told the BBC that security has been tightened to ensure safety of the people.

"A security ring has been thrown around the fair venue in Pushkar; people are being frisked and vehicles are being thoroughly checked," he said.

Reuters news agency says diplomats from some countries have organised group visits to the fair, touted as the world's biggest annual sale of camels, horses and cattle.

The warning is seen as a further blow to Indian tourism which has been badly hit since last year's 11 September attacks in the United States, and regional tensions.