A Briton and two Americans were snatched at dawn on Thursday from their house in an exclusive Baghdad district.

The Briton had not been named last night, although his family had been informed.

He and his American colleagues were civil engineers working for a construction company, Gulf Supplies and Commercial Services, based in the United Arab Emirates.

No group has admitted the abduction.

"We are obviously doing all we can to bring about a resolution as quickly as possible," the Foreign Office said.