CLACTON MP Giles Watling has called for an end to the online trade in live wildlife and animal parts.

Mr Watling said the trade is driving endangered species towards extinction.

He spoke out following a new report from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which highlights the vast quantity of live animals and body parts available for sale online.

Over a six-week period in 2017, its team identified 1,194 posts advertising 2,456 wildlife specimens, including turtles and tortoises, birds, owls and African grey parrots, across 35 online marketplaces and three social media platforms.

The Government has now brought forward the Ivory Bill, which will introduce of the toughest bans on ivory sales in the world.

Mr Watling said: “I am very pleased to support IFAW’s work to stop wildlife cybercrime.

“As so many of our most endangered species are at a tipping point, it is incredibly important to draw attention to this issue. Going forward, we must all do what we can to stop this trade and protect our wildlife.”

Mr Watling said he would continue to work with the Government against the illegal wildlife trade.