G8: Britain could cut nuclear stockpile, Gordon Brown says

US-brokered talks next year aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation could pave the way for Britain to reduce its 160-warhead arsenal in return for proof from aspiring nuclear states that they had stopped their weapons programmes.

President Barack Obama has invited as many as 30 nations to talks in Washington next March. The White House said the talks would focus on preventing the spread of nuclear material to rogue states and terrorist groups.

Talks could lead to more intrusive international inspections, and pressure for countries other than the US and Russia, which together account for 95 per cent of the world's nuclear weapons, to contribute to disarmament. Mr Obama earlier this week got the promise of a pact with Russia to reduce nuclear arms.

Speaking at the G8 summit in Italy, Mr Brown insisted there was no question of abandoning plans to replace the Trident weapons system. But he signalled that the number of British warheads and nuclear-armed submarines could be reduced as part of a new international agreement.