EU nations far apart on budget

[Gerald]

David Cameron said it was not the time for "tinkering" with the money spent,European leaders have resumed gruelling EU budget negotiations, amid signs that a deal may be out of reach.

The talks had continued late into Thursday night.

A revised proposal from summit chairman Herman Van Rompuy keeps the spending ceiling in place but reallocates funds.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters in Brussels on Friday that "it isn't a time for tinkering" with the EU's 2014-2020 budget. "We need unaffordable spending cut," he said.

Mr Cameron's office said the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, was sympathetic to the argument for further cuts when she met him on Friday.

Earlier, Mrs Merkel said she doubted an EU agreement could be reached at this meeting.

On Thursday the opening of the summit was delayed for three hours because of stark differences over the budget plans.

Here we go again,

Note: 23 November 2012 Last updated at 11:53 GMT