Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says he can totally rely on Jesus and that the Christians religion is "so important".

In an interview the businessman who wants to be US president was asked about his faith.

He said he has already "won much evangelical support" during his campaign to be named the Republican nominee.

Trump was challenged on his previous statement that he has never asked God for forgiveness.

Interviewer Cal Thomas stated: "You have said you never felt the need to ask for God's forgiveness, and yet repentance for one's sins is a precondition to salvation."

Trump replied: "I will be asking for forgiveness, but hopefully I won't have to be asking for much forgiveness.

"I think I will be doing very well during the election with evangelicals and with Christians."

When asked who he says Jesus is he replied: "Jesus to me is somebody I can think about for security and confidence.

"Somebody I can revere in terms of bravery and in terms of courage and, because I consider the Christian religion so important, somebody I can totally rely on in my own mind."

The presidential hopeful also pledged to support Christians in the Middle East being persecuted by Islamic extremists like IS.

"I'm going to treat my religion, which is Christian, with great respect and care," he promised.

Trump is now almost certain to face the Democratic nominee Hilary Clinton in the battle for the White House ahead of the election in November.