UK, EU agreed a "flexible extension" of Brexit until Oct 31

The UK and the EU have agreed a "flexible extension" of Brexit until 31 October.

Speaking after five hours of talks at an EU summit in Brussels, European Council president Donald Tusk said his "message to British friends" was "please do not waste this time".

Theresa May said the UK would still aim to leave the EU as soon as possible.

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the UK must now hold European elections in May, or leave on 1 June without a deal.

Prime Minister Mrs May had earlier told leaders she wanted to move the UK's exit date from this Friday to 30 June, with the option of leaving earlier if her withdrawal agreement was ratified by Parliament.

Mr Tusk emerged from the talks - and a subsequent meeting with Mrs May - to address reporters at a news conference at 02:15 local time (01:15 BST).

He said: "The course of action will be entirely in the UK's hands: they can still ratify the withdrawal agreement, in which case the extension can be terminated."

Mr Tusk said the UK could also rethink its strategy or choose to "cancel Brexit altogether".

He added: "Let me finish with a message to our British friends: This extension is as flexible as I expected, and a little bit shorter than I expected, but it's still enough to find the best possible solution.

"Please do not waste this time."