EU ministers meeting in Luxembourg are to receive an update on Brexit talks from the bloc's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, later.

Discussions between EU and UK officials aimed at reaching a Brexit deal have intensified in recent days, reports BBC.

Hopes of a deal being agreed before the 31 October Brexit deadline were boosted after a meeting between Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart last week.

But Mr Barnier this week said "big gaps" remained between the UK and EU.