'Tanks Rolling Towards Syrian Protest City'

Activists claim Syrian tanks are approaching the central city of Hama - a day after clashes between government forces and protesters reportedly left more than 60 people dead.

The apparent offensive comes as more than 100,000 people turned out for the funerals of those killed during anti-regime protests on Friday.

At least 63 people died when security forces opened fire on a 50,000-strong crowd which gathered after Friday prayers to demonstrate against the deaths of children during the unrest.

Footage posted on the internet appears to show a crowd of men and children running as gunhots are fired in the street. However, the video has not been verified.

The protest, dubbed 'children's freedom Friday' was sparked by the alleged torture and murder of 13-year-old Hamza al Khatib , whose body was released to his family a month after he was caught up in clashes and disappeared.

A video showing the boy's apparent injuries has refocused anti-government protests and led to worldwide condemnation of the regime.

"Anger is very high in the city, people will never be silent or scared. The whole city is shut today and people are calling for a three-day strike," said an activist who gave his name as Omar.

"We expect protests after the evening prayers."

While the funerals took place in Hama, another six people were said to have been killed in the northern town of Jisr al Shugour, which has seen intense protest against President Bashar Assad .

However, state television has blamed violence on "armed groups" who opened fire on civilians and security forces.

It is impossible to verify reports from Syria as foreign journalists have been expelled from the country and the local media is tightly controlled.

Protesters also claim internet access has been cut off in trouble spots across the country for around 24 hours.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, warned: "Syria is sliding down a tunnel. We are at the edge of the abyss."

British Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt condemned the killings, saying: "The Syrian government has shown an abhorrent disregard for human life as ordinary Syrians took to the streets in memory of the innocent children who have died during the unrest."

A spokeswoman for UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the leader was "alarmed at the escalation of violence in Syria, which has reportedly left at least 70 killed over the past week alone, bringing the total casualties since mid-March to over 1,000 dead."