Live updates: Theresa May on first foreign trip as Prime Minister

Video report by ITV News Europe Editor James Mates.

Francois Hollande today warned Theresa May that she cannot pick and choose among EU rules as the two met to begin talking over a Brexit.

The French president has been among the toughest of negotiators over Britain's planned EU exit.

Today his language was more conciliatory - but he stressed that the UK can't enjoy unfettered access to the single market unless it also allows free movement of EU nationals.

In turn, Ms May insisted that the UK will not be rushed into starting formal talks leading to a Brexit as she said it would take time to reach the right agreement.

Theresa May has insisted that she won't be rushed into triggering the start of a Brexit as she met Francois Hollande.

Mrs May said that "it will take time" to prepare for the start of formal steps towards the UK exiting the EU as she appeared at a press conference with the French president.

It comes after Mr Hollande said today he would urge Mrs May not to "drag on" the process.

Mrs May today said she had "excellent" and "very open" discussions over the issue - but there was more work to do.

Theresa May has arrived in Paris on her first foreign trip as the British prime minister.

She was met by the French premier Francois Hollande this afternoon as she arrived from Germany on a whistle-stop European tour.

Ms May is discussing the terms for a UK exit from the EU with fellow leaders.

Mr Hollande has already made clear that he will warn Mrs May not to drag her feet over the start of formal talks over a Brexit.

Video report by ITV News deputy political editor Chris Ship.

Theresa May warned that the UK would not be rushed into leaving the EU as she met Angela Merkel today.

The new British prime minister needs to win over the German chancellor, who holds more power than anyone else in Europe over any deal which is finally agreed.

In Berlin, some expressed concern over the apparent lack of a plan for a Brexit after the UK voted to leave.

May's handling off the issue is likely to be among the key moments of her time in office - and that work started in earnest today.

What birthday present can you get the world leader who has everything?

Theresa May settled on a pair of books reflecting a shared love of walking as she marked Angela Merkel's 62nd birthday during a visit to Berlin.

Ms May handed her counterpart - who turned 62 on Sunday - a new edition of Coast To Coast With Wainwright, a classic photographic book from 1973 on beauty spots between the Irish and North seas.

She also presented a copy of Great Mountain Days In Snowdonia, which includes a guide to walks in the National Park.

The prime minister included a handwritten message of birthday wishes with the presents, which she picked out herself.

Theresa May said that Britons sent a "very clear" message pushing for the country to take back control of its borders when they voted for Brexit.

Her comments at a meeting with the German chancellor Angela Merkel are likely to add to tension over the terms of the UK's exit from the EU.

Ms May must square her commitment to curb immigration with the economic need for free access to the bloc's markets.

Europe has made it clear that Britain cannot have free trade without free movement - and that is likely to prove a sticking point in any talks.

Theresa May has insisted that Brexit will not mean "walking away from our European friends" as she embarked on her first foreign trip since being made prime minister.

Ms May, appearing alongside German chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, insisted that the UK would remain an "outward-looking country" after the European Union referendum result.

Theresa may have brushed up on her German skills for her first foreign trip since being made prime minister a week ago.

She greeted the German chancellor Angela Merkel in her own language as they hosted a joint press conference today.

"I am delighted to be in Berlin" she said in German, hastily adding: "I will now go into English".

Her efforts seems to have made a good early impression on Ms Merkel as the pair got to know each other at their first meeting.

The chancellor appeared visibly surprised and pleased at the gesture.

Theresa May has landed in Berlin for talks with the German chancellor Angela Merkel on issues including Britain’s exit from the EU.

It marks Ms May’s first foreign trip since she took over as prime minister earlier this month.

She was welcomed with a full guard of honour at the airport, where she shook hands with Ms Merkel.

Ms May is expected to stress that the UK is in no hurry to leave the EU and also sound out the German leader over possible terms of a Brexit.

However, German officials have said there can be no official “pre-negotiations” before the UK triggers article 50 to leave the bloc.