An "imminent" attack on a key port in Yemen could lead to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, a former foreign office minister has warned.

Labour's Keith Vaz said Hodeidah has been "the last lifeline" to Yemen's civilians since the conflict in the county began, and warned that an anticipated assault would "devastate" the peace process.

Asking an urgent question on reports of an imminent attack by the Saudi Emirati-led coalition, the Leicester East MP said: "An attack on the port would be a catastrophe - it could directly lead, by the estimates of the UN, to the deaths of a quarter of a million people, around about the size of the city of Leicester.

"The assault will devastate the peace process."

Mr Vaz went on to ask: "If an attack on the port does take place, against the wishes of our government, will we reconsider our support for this coalition or in what way will we ensure that the peace process succeeds?"

He added: "Failure to take this action will lead to more slaughter of innocent Yemenis and will be a stain on the conscience of ministers, this Government and this House."

Middle East minister Alistair Burt said reports of possible assault have circulated for some time, but told the Commons: "Information at the beginning of last weekend, including from troop movements, suggested that such an attack might be imminent."

He said the Department for International Development issued a statement saying the Emiratis had informed them that they would give a three-day grace period for the UN and their partners to leave the city.

Mr Burt told MPs the government had "made its concerns clear" to the Saudi and Emirati governments.

"The government is and has been concerned at the potential impact of any assault on the city and port of Hodeidah for some time, and has made its concerns clear to the Saudi and Emirati governments."

He added: "No attack has yet taken place, accordingly we continue to urge all sides to urgently deescalate and engage in good faith in the political process."