There are reports of serious food shortages in the city of Huambo, in Angola's central highlands.

The Bishop of Huambo says the city is now facing the threat of famine as the result of the recent offensive mouned by the rebel movement, UNITA.

The Bishop, Dom Francisco Viti, quoted reports of ten people dying every day from starvation, but he thought the figure was higher.

Food reserves had paractically run out.

The bishop called for an immediate end to the fighting.