CUSTOMERS in Worcester are having to wait up to a month for supplies of wood, because of a huge demand in China.

Fence panels, timber and decking are among the items in short supply causing prices to rocket by up to 20 per cent.

China relies heavily on timber construction because of a ban on clay bricks in large cities.

It is also concerned about pollution and logging since the floods in 1998. More than 4,000 people died and the floods were blamed on deforestation.

The lack of wood supplies to the UK is affecting people who want to carry out home improvements, professional builders and gardeners.

Paul Cox, manager of Sheds Are Us, in Blackpole Road, Worcester, said: "It has affected us big time. We haven't been able to get wood to customers as quickly as we would like.

"If we can't get the wood to businesses, there will be no work to do and that could affect many small businesses even more."

Lee Price, director of Worcester Shed and Fencing Ltd, in Three Springs Trading Estate off Wyld's Lane, Worcester, added: "Only 20 per cent of the wood we stock comes from Britain.

"Prices are increasing on a weekly basis, but we're trying to keep them down for customers as much as possible."

Gale-force winds earlier in the year meant there was a demand to replace fencing panels and supplies ran out. Now, the problem has spread for wood to construct decking and sheds.

Wayne Jones, commercial manager at Bradfords Underwoods in Tolladine Road, Worcester, said recent deliveries had only brought one fifth of the predicted load.

He added: "The fencing wood is imported from Belgium to the distribution centre in Scotland and they just can't keep up with demand, creating a 10-week backlog."

Customers are being advised to place their orders with suppliers as soon as possible.

Glenn Sargent, aged 55, of Perdiswell, Worcester, a self-employed customer relies on Sheds Are Us.

He said: "I remember when 6 ft by 5 ft panels used to be £22.99, they're now about £30. The price is out of control."

Clive Tomlinson, 48, of Tolladine, also self-employed, was buying a garden shed at Sheds Are Us. He said: "I'm just shopping around, looking for a good deal, but all the sheds and timber for that matter are really hard to come across. It looks like it's going to be expensive."

Bradfords Underwoods customer Larry Brookes, 68, of Celvestune Way, Droitwich, said: "I knew the prices had gone up, but I didn't realise they had gone up quite so much. I want to fix my back garden's fence and I can't do anything until the panels turn up."

The situation hasn't been helped by a mild and wet winter making logging in Scandinavian countries difficult. By 2010, China is expected to be the importer of 100 million cubic metres of wood.