A Labour politician hopes she can act as an inspiration to "vertically-challenged women", despite missing out on the title of shortest MP.

Feryal Clark (Enfield North) joked she not only believed she was the first MP of Turkish-Kurdish heritage, but also the shortest at 5ft.

But she told the Commons her party colleague Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Kilburn) has assured her she is half an inch smaller, thereby denying her the honour.

MPs in the Commons laughed at the joke made in Ms Clark's maiden speech to the House.

Ms Clark explained she was a refugee child who arrived with her family in Britain 30 years ago, telling the Commons: "I could never have dreamed I'd have the privilege and responsibility to serve my adopted country as a Member of Parliament."

After explaining her heritage, Ms Clark added: "I also thought I might be arriving as the shortest MP.

"But I'm assured that at 5ft I'm a whole half an inch taller than my honourable friend the member for Hampstead and Kilburn.

"I hope we can be an inspiration to vertically-challenged women everywhere."

Conservative former minister Jackie Doyle-Price praised Ms Clark for her speech, and joked: "She has just proved that what she lacks in height she makes up for in her very energetic performance, and I've no doubt she'll be giving the Treasury bench considerable challenge from her position in future."