Talks between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party have not gone as "expected", the northern Irish party has said.

Theresa May's hopes of a deal to shore up her minority government hit a setback and an agreement is "certainly not imminent", the DUP said.

Talks with Mrs May's Conservatives "haven't proceeded in a way that the DUP would have expected", the DUP source said, adding that the party "can't be taken for granted".

The development came just a day ahead of the Queen's Speech, and threatens to leave Mrs May uncertain of her ability to secure a Commons majority for her Government's legislative programme for the coming two years.

But the source said agreement before Wednesday's State Opening of Parliament could not entirely be ruled out if there was movement in the talks between the parties.

The DUP is urging the Government to give "greater focus" to the negotiations.

Mrs May was forced to seek support from other parties after the snap election on June 8 left her nine MPs short of an overall majority in the House of Commons.

Speaking outside Downing Street the day after the poll, the PM said that she would "continue to work with our friends and allies in the Democratic Unionist Party" to ensure she was able to command a majority to get her legislation through.

But the Conservatives were forced to row back on a premature announcement that agreement had been reached on a "confidence and supply" arrangement, and talks have now dragged on for 11 days without reaching a conclusion.

A Number 10 spokesman would say only that talks were "ongoing".

It is thought that the DUP is asking for more investment for Northern Ireland as part of the price of its support, and the party also wants the retention of the triple lock guarantee on pensions and winter fuel allowances for older people.

Arlene Foster's party backs Brexit, but wants to avoid any disruption to movements across the border with the Irish Republic.