SOUTH Dorset MP Richard Drax has described the "current stand off with Russia" as just one example of why the government needs to increase funding for the armed forces.

Speaking in the House of Commons after Chancellor Phillip Hammonds's Spring statement, Mr Drax - who served as an officer in the Coldstream Guards - asked: "As a former soldier, may I put in a plug for our armed forces?

"They undoubtedly need more money. We live in dangerous times. Will he take that into account in the Budget?"

Defence Minister and Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood, who served as an officer in the Royal Green Jackets, has also warned Britain must spend more on defence if it is to survive as an international power.

Dorset has strong ties to the armed forces, with the Armoured Centre at Bovington, the Royal Marines bas at Hamworthy and the Royal Signals at Blandford.

Mr Drax said: "The current stand off with Russia is just one illustration of why we need to fund our defences properly.

"Our armed forces were cut to the bone in the 2010 and 2015 defence reviews and it will take considerable investment to get our resources back up to the levels we need.

"We have an unfortunate tradition or rebuilding our defences in the nick of time.

"It would be so much better if we were adequately prepared to face the many threats to our national security which are undoubtedly out there."

Answering Mr Drax's calls for more funding, Mr Hammond replied: "I understand the challenges that defence faces and the complexity of the defence budget, with its many long-term projects operating at the cutting edge of technology.

"In case there is any misapprehension, however, I would like the House to be absolutely clear that defence will receive more than £1 billion of additional funding in each year of this parliament."