A defence minister is believed to be on the verge of resigning over military spending cuts that would see the army fall below 70,000 soldiers.

Tobias Ellwood, the minister responsible for service personnel and veterans, is said to be deeply concerned by cost-cutting proposals currently being considered by the Ministry of Defence.

Talk of his resignation comes in the midst of a review into defence expenditure, with the MoD looking to make cutbacks in order to live within its £36 billion budget.

However, that task has been made harder due to the need to upgrade the nuclear deterrent, a spending project which will cost upwards of £600m.

One option being considered is to slash army numbers below the 70,000 mark, a decision which, if carried out, would see its size reduced to just two-thirds of the fighting force wielded by France.

Other options include delaying an upgrade of tanks and armoured vehicles and reducing the number of new Ajax minitanks.

According to The Times, the 51-year-old, who received a police bravery award earlier this year for attempting to save the life of PC Keith Palmer during the Westminster terror attack, has told colleagues he will quit should the cuts go ahead.