New airport security measures were announced by the government on Thursday, following two high profile robberies at Heathrow Airport.

The transport department and the Home Office will adopt all measures recommended by a working group that was set up last month.

New regulations are to be imposed with respect to lost or expired security passes, while current passes will have to meet a national standard. Checks on security staff will be extended, and airport security committees are to be given an enhanced role.

Advice will also be issued from the department of transport on how airports should handle high value cargo.

The use of criminal record checks on staff and the use of CCTV will be extended.

The department will also adopt measures included in the anti-terrorism, crime and security act of last year to maintain a list of aviation security companies that have government approval. Only these companies will be available for use by airports and airlines.

"It is vital that our security regulations are effectively implemented by staff at airports," said transport secretary Stephen Byers.

"To this end, staff from my department are today meeting airport managing directors and other senior security managers from the aviation industry to brief them on the new requirements and responsibilities."

Home secretary David Blunkett said: "Security at Heathrow is clearly a vital component in safeguarding the UK as a whole. The recent robberies demonstrated an urgent need to review existing measures and to tighten airside security."