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Theresa May will visit Brussels today in a surprise trip for crunch talks with the European Union.

Downing Street sources said she will meet EU President Jean-Claude Juncker and chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

The visit comes just three days before a make-or-break European Council summit, where 27 EU leaders are expected to tell the PM she has not made enough progress in Brexit talks to start discussing future trade.

No10 sources said the "routine visit" was part of "normal engagement" in the run-up to the EU Council meeting and had been in Mrs May's diary for "a number of weeks".

(Image: PA)

Yet details of the trip were kept secret from journalists who usually accompany the PM until the last moment.

They were only revealed after being disclosed by the BBC late last night.

And the trip was not in Mr Juncker's diary, which was published last week.

The PM will be accompanied by David Davis, the Brexit Secretary.

The pair will enjoy a private dinner with the EU chiefs before Mrs May returns tonight.

Journalists have not been invited to attend the trip.