Boris Johnson has urged European leaders to "snap out" of their Trump "doom and gloom" and to get to work on building the relationship with the US.

The Foreign Secretary, who had previously accused the President-elect of "stupefying ignorance that makes him frankly unfit to hold the office of President of the US", said the election was a "great opportunity for the UK".

Speaking in Belgrade after meeting the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Mr Johnson said Mr Trump was a "deal maker" and stressed that he wanted to do a free trade deal with the UK - seen as vital in the wake of the Brexit.

Mr Johnson said European leaders should consider the economic opportunities offered by Mr Trump's election win.

The Foreign Secretary has been on a whistle-stop trip, visiting five European capitals in 48 hours in an effort to "strengthen" relations with European partners.

There is concern in Europe that the Brexit vote and Mr Trump's victory means that far-right parties are likely to capitalise on the anti-establishment movement in next year's elections in France and Germany.

Mr Johnson said: "I may respectfully say to my European friends and colleagues that it's time we snapped out of general doom and gloom about this election.

"He is, after all, a deal maker. He wants to do a free trade deal with the UK. I believe that this is a great opportunity for us in the UK to build on that relationship with America that is of fundamental economic importance for us but also of great importance for stability and prosperity in the world."

The Foreign Secretary has previously pulled few punches in his condemnation of Mr Trump. He accused him of "playing the game of terrorists," and said the only reason he did not visit some parts of New York was the "real risk of meeting Donald Trump".

On Wednesday, Mr Johnson was quick to offer his congratulations on Twitter to the President-elect, and on Thursday he spoke to the Vice President-elect about the "importance of the special relationship".

It comes as the Government denied suggestions that Mr Farage was to act as a go-between for the Government and Mr Trump's administration.

There were suggestions in a newspaper report that International Trade Secretary Liam Fox was planning to speak to the UKIP leader before attempting talks with Mr Trump's advisers.

A Government spokesman said: "Mr Fox has no plans to talk to Mr Farage."