Theresa May will set out her 12 priorities for Brexit on Tuesday, telling diplomats she wants Britain to be 'truly global' – but also a 'best friend and neighbour' to its European partners.

Almost seven months after Britain voted to leave the European Union she will make a plea for an 'equal partnership' with the European Union.

But she is expected to anger advocates of a 'soft Brexit' with the clearest signal yet that Britain will break away from the single market. She has already made clear that Britain will no longer advocate free movement of people.

Mrs May was handed a bargaining chip after US president elect Donald Trump promised a quick trade deal between the US and the UK after he takes office on Friday.

Sir Henry Bellingham, the MP for North-West Norfolk, said that while there were still people in his constituency saying Brexit would end in tears, the vast majority were positive about the future of Britain outside the European Union. He said Britain could be in the 'right place at the right time'. But he said he wanted as close a trading relationship as possible with Europe, while Britain regained control of its borders.

He claimed the last thing the European Union would want was a trade war with Britain – but warned negotiations were not going to be easy. The former foreign office minister said his old department had an 'incredible depth of talent' to negotiate for Britain.

David Campbell-Bannerman, a leave-backing Conservative MEP for the Eastern region, said he was very reassured by hints from Theresa May that Britain would leave the single market and the customs union, saying he favours a 'clean Brexit'.

He welcomed Mr Trump's comments and the signals from Mrs May and her New Zealand counterpart Bill English that there was the potential for a 'bold' new trading relationship after Brexit.

But he was also upbeat about the prospects of doing a deal with the European Union after it was reported that EU negotiator Michel Barnier wants a special finance deal with the City of London so EU countries still have access to finance to fund investment.

'After a lot of sabre-rattling and trying to threaten Britain, it is reassuring to see some common sense coming through,' he said.

What sort of Brexit should Mrs May seek? Email edpletters@archant.co.uk