The Scottish Executive is set to get tough with paedophiles who use the internet to groom their victims.

Ministers in the devolved government are set to fast-track legislation through the Scottish parliament. The offensive will be spierheaded by justice minister Cathy Jamieson.

The move, which follows similar legislation in England, will allow suspected paedophiles targeting children on the web to be jailed before any actual abuse has taken place.

Those found guilty of using the internet to groom a child could face up to five years in prison under the new approach.

A source in the Scottish Executive said ministers planned to push the measure through the Holyrood parliament by the summer.

It follows criticism that the Edinburgh-based executive had been slow to respond to the threat posed by paedophiles on the web.