MP Ann Cryer is urging the Government to show courage and make forced marriage a new criminal offence.

Whitehall is due to make an announcement on whether it will outlaw the practice within the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, the Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office yesterday launched a campaign, backed by Asian celebrities, to highlight the issues surrounding forced marriage.

Mrs Cryer, who has been fighting for the practice to be made illegal and who has a dossier of complaints from girls in Keighley -- some claiming rape -- said: "Girls are being forced into marriage and forced to consummate the marriage.

"Some girls are not allowed to come back to Keighley until the marriage has been consummated.

"I'm getting horror stories all the time and there are more because people are constantly being brought in as husbands and wives from Pakistan."

A pregnant 14-year-old girl had been to see her after being forced to consummate the marriage before being allowed back home.

The Keighley MP said making forced marriage a crime would be a "shot across the bows" of people involved and make them realise they could face punishment.

The new campaign was due to be launched from Lancaster House yesterday.

It will highlight the difference between forced and arranged marriage, and make clear that forced marriage is an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence.

The Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office forced marriage unit campaign will also publicise the support available to young people affected and encourage them to seek help.

Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland QC said: "Forced marriage is a form of domestic violence and a human rights abuse.

"The victims often face emotional and physical abuse. We are determined to help young people at risk and protect their right to choose whom they marry."

Author and actress Meera Syal said: "Young people need to know that there is help out there and that it is okay to ask for help.

"And we want the older generations to know that we respect their culture, tradition and we understand that arranged marriages have a place in society.

"But there is a vast difference between an arranged and a forced marriage -- consent."