An aid convoy which was due to reach a besieged Syrian village on Sunday has been delayed by last-minute hitches, the BBC reported.

The World Food Programme (WFP) had hoped to take a first shipment of food and medicine to the 40,000 people trapped in Madaya, a rebel-held town near the Lebanese border.

People there are reported to have been starving to death, and eating pets and grass to survive.

The convoy, with its month of supplies, is now due to arrive on Monday.

It is not clear what caused the delay.

A similar operation for two government-held villages in the north - Kefraya and Foah - is also due on Monday.

Source: MENA