Speakers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the University of Central England and the Indian Police Service have all been invited to take part in the event, called Asian Marriage Systems, which will be held in Walsall on 1 September.

The organisers are drawing the distinction between arranged and forced marriages, defining the former as a consensual union based on culture or religion.

Forced marriages are not entered into voluntarily by at least one of the people involved.

Superintendent Peter Goodman, who heads the West Midlands police group tackling the issue, said: "While most marriages are a time of celebration, some vulnerable people have been forced into a relationship without consent.

"We are aware there is still a vast under-reporting of this issue, for a whole range of reasons.

He added: "The seminar is also an opportunity to network and build relationships."

Constable Harvinder Singh Rai, who is coordinating the seminar, said: "A marriage should be entered into with the free and full consent of both parties.

"But evidence shows that on occasions young people find themselves being forced into marriage by their families when they go abroad.

"Forced marriages are totally unacceptable in any religion - all agree they should not supported or promoted."