Theresa May must not pander to Donald Trump on climate change but invest to power a "new industrial revolution" in green technology, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron is to announce.

In a Westminster speech on Wednesday, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale will urge the Prime Minister to create another "Victorian"-style era of building, focused on tackling climate change.

He will call for a "sweeping programme of investment and reform on a level never seen before", stressing that the Lib Dems want to see a zero carbon Britain by 2050, a more ambitious target than the current legal requirement to reduce emissions by 80%.

Tim Farron is calling for more energy efficient housing. Credit: Picture by Joe Giddens PA Archive/PA Images

Mr Farron will tell Mrs May to ignore the new US president, who has claimed climate change is a Chinese hoax, and invest in green technology.

The Cumbrian MP will say:

The low carbon and no carbon economy will be underpinned and driven by industries which will be worth trillions globally in the next few decades. Tim Farron MP, Westmorland and Lonsdale (Lib Dem)

Mr Farron will say the Lib Dems are committed to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5C rather than 2C and the party is enlisting experts to create a plan for a zero carbon UK.

The party plans to develop smart technology, make housing more energy efficient, and help businesses to improve their sustainability.