Theresa May is to travel to the US to visit Donald Trump soon after his inauguration, following diplomatic efforts to build links with the new administration.

Mrs May’s joint chiefs of staff Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy visited Washington to pave the way for the meeting, which could happen as soon as next month, according to the UK prime minister’s allies.

“The prime minister suggested it would be a good idea for key staff from both teams to meet. President-elect Trump agreed this would be useful,” Downing Street said.

“We are pleased to have been able to make that happen and the prime minister looks forward to visiting the new president in the spring.”

Confirmation of the visit will come as a relief to Downing Street, which had been embarrassed by Mr Trump’s apparent preference for talks with his friend Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader.

In a move intended to curry favour, Mrs May took the unusual step last week of issuing a statement distancing Britain from a speech made by the outgoing US secretary of state, John Kerry, about Israel.

Unlike Angela Merkel, who gave a qualified welcome to Mr Trump’s election, Mrs May gave a wholehearted message of support to the successful Republican candidate.

The prime minister’s team had explored the prospect of Mrs May meeting Mr Trump before his inauguration on January 20. It is understood that President Obama strongly resisted the idea.

Top of Mrs May’s agenda will be preliminary talks about the prospect of a UK-US trade deal after Brexit; Mr Obama warned before last year’s referendum that Britain would be “at the back of the queue”.

Mr Trump has been sceptical about trade deals in general, but has sounded a more positive note about the possibility of some sort of agreement with Britain in the future.

With ties fraying with the EU, Mrs May can ill-afford to see Britain’s other big strategic relationship come under strain following Mr Trump’s election.

The prime minister was critical of Mr Trump’s comments about immigration during the US election campaign.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss security issues, including Russian involvement in the Middle East and Europe. Mrs May is considerably more critical of Vladimir Putin.