A British woman attacked by a shark while swimming off the beach of an island has been flown to Oxfordshire to receive further treatment.

The woman, named locally as Frankie Gonsalves was attacked while swimming off Ascension Island in the South Atlantic, a government spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said she believes the woman, who works for the government of Saint Helena, had been living on Saint Helena island, part of the same British overseas territory, with her husband and children.

The victim had been treated at a nearby hospital, but it is understood she was flown to RAF Brize Norton.

A representative from Ascension Island Government said Ms Gonsalves was in a stable condition in hospital on the island and 'recovering well'.

A source told the Times newspaper the woman was bitten in the leg and that her husband punched the shark in a bid to protect her.

The attack is thought to have happened on the afternoon of Friday April 21, and the island government issued a public warning to swimmers.

It read: "A shark incident was reported at 4pm involving a swimmer snorkelling in English Bay.

"Swimming in the area is to be undertaken at your own risk."

Saint Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha are a trio of remote islands between South America and Africa and together form one of Britain's overseas territories.

Travel to and from Ascension Island is via the RAF's Brize Norton base in Oxfordshire, according to UK Government travel advice.