Ex-chiefs demand more forces cash

Britain's armed forces are over-stretched and under-funded, a group of former senior military leaders and politicians has warned.

They have formed the UK National Defence Association, led by three ex-chiefs of the defence staff.

One of them, Gen Lord Guthrie, told BBC News: "We are quite honestly struggling. I don't know much longer the forces can go on like this."

The group says defence spending should be about 3% of gross domestic product.

The defence budget has been set at £34bn for next year - about 2% of GDP.