Schwarzenegger to address Tories

Mr Schwarzenegger, who is now the Republican Governor of California, will join the Conservatives gathering at Blackpool to deliver a keynote address on climate change.

Under the governorship of the Terminator star, California became the first state in the US to pass legislation imposing a mandatory cap on environmentally damaging "greenhouse gas" emissions.

Mr Schwarzenegger has previously been feted by Tony Blair. Last year, during a visit to the US by the Prime Minister, they signed a joint accord promoting research into cleaner-burning fuels and technologies.

The compliment was returned earlier this year when Mr Schwarzenegger praised Mr Blair as the "real action hero" in a joint television interview to mark the launch of the British Government's Climate Change Bill.

Mr Cameron said that he was "delighted" that Mr Schwarzenegger had accepted the invitation to attend his party's conference.

"Governor Schwarzenegger led a dramatic revival of his party's fortunes in California and as Governor he has shown tremendous leadership - above all in pioneering measures to protect the environment, reaching out to political opponents in doing so," he said.

"It's great he's coming to our party conference, and I very much look forward to welcoming him there."