US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said America is prepared to use military force against North Korea in the wake of its latest missile test.

Ms Haley said the test, of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) possibly capable of hitting Alaska, was "reckless and irresponsible, and made the world a more dangerous place".

She added that the US is prepared to use its full range of capabilities – including military force – to deter North Korea if necessary.

"One of our capabilities lies with our considerable military forces," she said. "We will use them if we must, but we prefer not to have to go in that direction."

Other deterrence strategies include harsher sanctions on the country, which Ms Haley said would be announced in the coming days. She added that the US may go as far as cutting of trade with countries that continue trading with North Korea.

British Ambassador to the UN Matthew Rycroft said Britain supports measures to increase the cost of missile testing for North Korea. French Ambassador François Delattre said a "decisive collective response" is necessary.

The comments come the day after North Korea tested an ICBM it claims can strike "the heart of the United States”.

Pentagon officials said the missile, believed to be a modified KN-17 liquid fuel device, was something they had "never seen before".