Campaigners welcome 'Sarah's Law' extension

A scheme that allows parents to check if someone with regular access to their children has a history of child sex offences is being extended.

The Home Office scheme was piloted in four areas in England from September 2008. It is now being rolled out in eight more forces and will be expanded to the whole of England and Wales by spring.

"Sarah's Law" was proposed after the murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne by a convicted sex offender 10 years ago.

Lyn Costello, a campaigner from Mothers Against Murders and Aggression, welcomed the announcement.