Theresa May will fly out to meet Donald Trump next week in secret plans to make her the first foreign leader to hold talks with the new US President.

The Telegraph can reveal that Mrs May hopes to fly out to Washington DC on Thursday – much earlier than previously thought.

The visit has been brought forward after Steve Bannon, Mr Trump’s chief strategist, reached out to appeal for an early trip, according to sources.

Mrs May is expected to visit “for a couple of days” and hold talks with Mr Trump in the Oval Office, the presidential office in the White House.

Other cabinet ministers, who have been happy to let Mrs May “own” the relationship with the incoming president, are not expected to join her.

The plans have been secretly worked up over the last week, with officials across Whitehall involved in the final 48 hours before the inauguration.