Billionaire US businessman Donald Trump has endorsed front-runner Mitt Romney for the Republican Party's presidential nomination. Mr Trump announced his support at a Las Vegas hotel he owns, contradicting earlier reports that he would back Romney rival Newt Gingrich, the Telegraph writes.

The candidates have been campaigning in Nevada after Mr Romney's resounding win in Florida's primary on Tuesday.

The eventual nominee will go on to face Barack Obama in November's election.

Telling Romney supporters that it was his honour to endorse the former Massachusetts governor, Mr Trump said foreign business people he deals with had taken advantage of increased US uncompetitiveness.

In short remarks, Mr Trump said Mr Romney would not "allow bad things to continue to happen to this country we all love".

Aides from the office of Mr Trump and Republican officials told US media that the real estate tycoon and reality TV star had spoken to Mr Romney on Wednesday night to inform him of the endorsement.

The outspoken businessman flirted last year with the idea of jumping into the presidential race himself as a third-party candidate, but ultimately decided not to.

Mr Trump said on Wednesday that he had an announcement to make about the presidential race, but did not say what it was. US media then reported that he would endorse Mr Gingrich.

Former House of Representatives Speaker Mr Gingrich told reporters he had not spoken to Mr Trump for weeks and was not aware of any plans by the businessman to back a candidate.

In an interview with ABC News on Monday, Mr Trump said he was still undecided as to whether to support Mr Romney or Mr Gingrich.

"I like both," Mr Trump said. "They both want my endorsement. We'll see what happens but in a very short time I'll be making an endorsement."