The Roman Catholic clergy has been urged to set up a child protection unit within the church to vet priests, lay staff and volunteers before they take up posts.

Fifty recommendations made by an independent committee headed by Lord Nolan would bring the Roman Catholic church into line with other organisations working with children. Implementation of the proposals by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, and welcomed by the Vatican, are expected following a number of damaging child abuse scandals involving clergy.