A Lancashire member of the European Parliament has defected from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservative Party.

Sajjad Karim, who sits in Brussels for the North West, said Tory leader David Cameron's recent comments about immigration had persuaded him to jump ship.

He also said the Lib Dems, who are currently picking their third leader in two years after Sir Menzies Campbell's resignation, were "a spent force".

"Two years ago David Cameron described himself as a Liberal Conservative and that's very much how I see myself," Mr Karim said in a statement issued by the Conservatives.

"But I needed to be convinced that he could change his party and now I am.

"David Cameron's recent speech on immigration was incredibly impressive - sensible, rational and positive.

"It persuaded me that he is a leader who has changed his party and will change this country.

"I'm afraid that the Liberal Democrats have lost their way and are no longer a serious force in politics.

"I'm here to serve the people of the North West and I think I can only do that now as a Conservative."

Mr Karim is based in Nelson.

The 37-year-old solicitor became the first Muslim MEP when he was elected in 2004.

His move will swell the Tory ranks in the European Parliament to 28 MEPs while reducing the Lib Dems to 11.

In his first major speech on immigration last month, Mr Cameron called for a "grown-up conversation" about the issue and warned that current population growth was "unsustainable".

His comments won praise from equality chief Sir Trevor Phillips, who said Mr Cameron had moved to "de-racialise" the issue.

As Mr Karim's defection was announced , Mr Cameron said he was delighted to welcome him to the Tory fold.

"He is a hard-working MEP who has so much to offer. I look forward to working with him," Mr Cameron said.

The Lib Dems suggested Mr Karim switched parties because he was not placed top of the party's list in the North West for the next European Parliament elections in 2009.