Ministers are failing to monitor whether timber being imported into the UK comes from illegal sources, the Liberal Democrats have claimed.

Environment spokesman Sue Doughty said it was now time for the government to ban the import of all illegally harvested timber.

The party believes the move could help to prevent some unsustainable deforestation.

"Deforestation is having a devastating impact on the global climate," warned Doughty.

"Yet the government has failed to take effective action to combat the import of illegally harvested timber."

She claimed government statistics had shown that the UK is now importing timber from places such as Vatican City which have no natural resources.

HM Customs and Excise do not record the country of origin for timber arriving in the UK.

"We have no way of knowing if that timber has been legally and sustainably sourced," Doughty said.

"The longer we wait to take action against climate change, the more damage we will do. Legislation to ban the import of illegal timber must be put in place as a matter of urgency."