The government is to get tough on sex offenders but is set to repeal out-dated laws governing adult consensual sex.

Measures to reform Victorian sexual offence laws will be widely welcomed by MPs but could face opposition in the Lords.

A new Sex Offences Bill will scrap indecency laws that discriminate against homosexuals but will combine liberalisation with a tough approach elsewhere.

"The government is already reforming the criminal justice system for the 21st century, it is important that we also have laws that reflect 21st century society, social attitudes and crimes," said the Home Office.

"This essential if the law is to provide effective protection and have credibility and legitimacy."

Laws to be withdrawn include those which make it illegal for men to have sex in public places - a practice known as cottaging.

The move could reopen Conservative wounds on the issue of homosexuality.

Some senior Tories have criticised the plans, saying they will make public parks and lavatories "no-go" areas for young heterosexual men.

Other measures will be billed as closing "loopholes" in existing laws.

Sex crime reform is set to redefine consent in rape cases if the victim was drunk or high on drugs.

The move could enshrine a "drunk means no" policy in legislation and see a huge rise in the number of "date rape" cases coming before the courts.

Critics of the new approach believe the reform could lead to a rise in malicious allegations and cause confusion among late-night revellers.

And the Conservatives have signalled that they may oppose the shift.

Other aspects of the overhaul will be trailed by Blunkett as a foundation for the "toughest child protection laws in the world".

Measures will include a crackdown on internet paedophiles and may see a new offence of internet "chatroom grooming".

A tightened sex offenders register will see 18,500 people currently convicted of sex offences forced to report to the police every year rather than every five years.

Those convicted of child sex "tourism" overseas will be compelled to register on their return to the UK or face five years in jail - a move that is set to herald greater international cooperation to crackdown on perverts.

The scope of the bill covers:

• Better protection for the most vulnerable, particularly children.

• A clear, coherent and effective set of laws that better respond to today's types of sexual abuse, for example paedophile use of the internet.

• Modernising sex offences so they do not discriminate on grounds of gender and provide protection for all.

• Penalties that enable the appropriate punishment of abusers.

• A strengthened Sex Offenders Register by tightening notification requirements and broadening the offences that trigger registration.