Lib Dem plans for cutting the costs of Britain's nuclear weapons programme have found favour among the military top brass.

In a paper published yesterday the Royal United Services Institute firmly rejected Tory claims that ending around-the-clock nuclear-armed patrols amounted to an inadequate "part-time deterrent."

Lib Dem Cabinet Minister Danny Alexander has faced flak from all sides for proposing cost-cutting schemes including ending the policy of constant sea patrols known as "continuous at-sea deterrent."