Sharia marriage should be recognised under British law, a review commissioned by Theresa May has concluded.

The landmark report by Professor Mona Siddiqui also called for Sharia councils to be regulated by the Government and warned that banning the religious bodies could force them "underground".

Announcing its findings today the report found that couples should be forced to register their Islamic marriage in a civil ceremony and fines should be imposed if they do not.

There is no current obligation to do so, meaning couples who want to divorce must do so in a Sharia court, where the marriage is recognised.

The Marriage Act would have to be changed in order to enforce the recommendation, which is being considered by the Home Office.