Donald Trump’s administration is “very seriously” considering military options for the North Korea nuclear stand-off, a Republican congressional chairman has revealed.

Mac Thornberry, who heads up the House Armed Services Committee, told The Telegraph that officials we looking into ammunition and deployment issues linked to military involvement.

He said such efforts were not being undertaken for “token” reasons but because it was “prudent” to make such preparations given the instability in the region.

The comments suggest that Mr Trump's talk of a military option being ‘on the table’ to deal with the nuclear threat is not simply being used rhetorically.

It comes after this newspaper revealed US officials were working up plans for a “bloody nose” military attack on North Korea to deter further nuclear development.

Mac Thornberry, Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, was talking to the Defence Writers Group, which is linked to George Washington University.