The next generation of nuclear weapons on the Clyde should be the last, Labour leadership hopeful Andy Burnham has said.

With anti-Trident MP Jeremy Corbyn still seen as the frontrunner as the contest enters its final days, Mr Burnham backed renewal of the controversial Scottish-based system.

But he said politicians should ensure the UK never again had to invest in a nuclear deterrent to guarantee its own safety.

His remarks will be seen as an appeal to voters opposed to Trident but who have yet to make up their mind who should lead Labour.

Earlier this week the Chancellor George Osborne was accused of arrogance by the SNP after he visited Trident’s base at Faslane.

The Conservative politician faced claims he had jumped the gun after he announced an extra £500m for the site before MPs vote on whether or not to renew Trident.

Despite his comments, Mr Burnham also said that he could not serve in a Corbyn cabinet because of his rival's opposition to the nuclear alliance Nato.

In a speech to the defence think tank the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) Mr Burnham said: "I am committed to the renewal of our nuclear deterrent.

"With the world the way that it is, now is not the time to drop our defences or take a step into the unknown.

"We simply do not what challenges lie ahead over the next 10, 20, 30 years.”

He added: "At the same time, however, we should take another decision – to set the aim of making this the last time we renew our nuclear deterrent and with renewed resolve kick-start work to re-energise a process of multilateral disarmament.”

Mr Burnham also accused Mr Corbyn of making a "profound mistake" by creating doubt over the UK’s membership of Nato and the European Union.

He said he would quit Labour’s shadow cabinet if Mr Corbyn ordered his team to vote against Trident renewal.

Asked about the issue, Mr Burnham said: "The answer is yes. I couldn't support that position. It is the wrong position for Britain to take, so I wouldn't be able to go out publicly to defend it."

"I believe it would be difficult to serve in a shadow cabinet or cabinet that had taken a different decision.”

Party moderniser and shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said it needed to show “solidarity” with whoever is elected.