Age restrictions on porn websites have been delayed by government again, the digital minister has told MPs.

Margot James said checks, which had been due to come into force by the end of December, are now being pushed back until Easter.

The minister said the system was still yet to be agreed by parliament and once that happened there would need to be a three month period to allow the industry to implement the checks.

The verification system had initially be slated to start in April this year but has been pushed back a number of times as the government and adult industry have grappled with how it will work in practice.

Under the current scheme adult websites will have to provide their own verification software, which will then have to meet standards and checks carried out by the British Board of Film Classification.