The UK has imposed asset freezes and travel bans on three generals in Myanmar’s military regime in response to human rights violations.

Alongside the sanctions, the Government has put in place further safeguards to prevent UK aid money indirectly supporting the military government following this month’s coup.

New measures are also being taken to stop UK businesses working with Myanmar’s military.

The military took over and detained the nation’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi after her party won a landslide in November’s elections.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “The UK condemns the military coup and the arbitrary detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political figures.

“We, alongside our international allies, will hold the Myanmar military to account for their violations of human rights and pursue justice for the Myanmar people.”

The sanctions will be imposed on defence minister General Mya Tun Oo, home affairs minister Lt General Soe Htut and deputy home affairs minister Lt General Than Hlaing.

The UK already has sanctions in place against 16 individuals from the Myanmar military.

Thursday’s action by the UK is being taken in tandem with Canada, which is also announcing measures against the regime.

Meanwhile, Mr Raab and his counterparts in France, Germany and the United States “condemned” the coup in a joint statement following a meeting on Thursday.

They called on the military leaders to “immediately end the state of emergency, restore power to the democratically elected government, refrain from violence, release all those unjustly detained, and respect human rights and the rule of law”.

The announcements came as protesters returned to the streets of Myanmar on Thursday after a night of armed intimidation by security forces in Mandalay, the country’s second biggest city.

Supporters of English Premier League clubs including Arsenal have been among those demonstrating against the regime in Myanmar.