Donald Trump: I will not quit race over sex boast tape

Donald Trump has refused calls to drop out of the US presidential race over his lewd and sexually aggressive remarks about women.

As a growing number of Republicans abandoned their support and called for him to stand down, Mr Trump told US media that there was "zero chance I'll quit".

He added he had received "unbelievable support" since the damaging video from 2005 - in which he is heard bragging about kissing and groping women - was released on Friday evening.

"I will never, ever give up," he said - later taking to Twitter to reiterate the sentiment, claiming the "media and establishment" wanted him out of the race "so badly".

But Trump's defiance - and even a rare apology - has not appeased Republicans fearful that their candidate's rhetoric will doom the party on November 8.

Senator John Thune, one the highest ranking Republicans in the Senate, led calls for Mr Trump to stand aside in favour of his running mate Mike Pence.

New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte said that as a "mom and an American" she would not be supporting Trump, revealing that she would write Mr Pence's name on her ballot instead.

Pence said he was "offended" by Trump's comments but was grateful that Trump had "expressed remorse and apologised".

In a statement, he said: "As a husband and father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump in the 11-year-old video released yesterday.

"I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them.

"I am grateful that he has expressed remorse and apologised to the American people.

"We pray for his family and look forward to the opportunity he has to show what is in his heart when he goes before the nation tomorrow night".

Paul Ryan, the most senior elected Republican in the US, said he was "sickened" by the leaked tape and withdrew an invite to Mr Trump to attend an event with him on Saturday.

Mitt Romney, the 2012 presidential candidate, told voters in Nevada he was "offended and dismayed" by Mr Trump, describing his comments as "degrading to our women, daughters, grand-daughters and future generations".

The controversy has dominated the news agenda with just a month to go until the election and a day until the second presidential debate in St Louis, Missouri.

In his video apology, Mr Trump said he regretted his comments but went on to attack former president Bill Clinton directly - hinting that he could bring up the former president's infidelities in the debate.

"Bill Clinton has actually abused women, and Hillary has bullied, attacked and shamed his victims. We'll discuss this in the coming days. See you at the debate on Sunday."

In a bid to calm the political storm, the Trump campaign released a statement from the candidate's wife Melania - whom he had married just a short time before the comments were made - on Saturday afternoon.

She said her husband's comments were "unacceptable and offensive to me" but urged Americans to "accept his apology, as I have".