George W Bush is to make a state visit to Britain in November.

Buckingham Palace said the president and his wife Laura will stay with the Queen from November 19 to 21.

The invitation has been slammed by anti-war campaigners and is likely to come at a difficult moment for Tony Blair's government.

The Republican president is deeply unpopular within the Labour Party and the prime minister's cooperation with the US during Iraq war has led to intense domestic criticism.

Bush's visit will fall on the weekend before the Queen gives her annual address to parliament.

Before then Lord Hutton is likely to report on his findings on the events leading up to the death of Dr David Kelly.

And an interim update from the Iraq Survey Group - which is likely to report that no concrete evidence of a weapons programme has been uncovered - will also be released.

The Stop The War Coalition, which is calling for the immediate withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, moved quickly to condemn the trip.

"Millions of Britons who opposed the war which George Bush dragged us into will be horrified at this news and believe the invitation should be rescinded immediately," chairman Andrew Murray said.

"If he does visit Britain he will be met by demonstrations and protests every day."

Bush is likely to view the trip as a boost to his political reputation at home.

Many Americans still hold the prime minister in high regard.

Pictures of the first family alongside Blair and the Queen are likely to pay dividends as the president prepares for a tough re-election fight.