Hate preachers who use social media to peddle their extreme views could face tougher sentences under new proposals being considered.

Influential figures who enjoy large followings on sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube could face up to six years in prison if found guilty of inciting violence or hatred.

The move, which is currently being considered by the government, is aimed at giving more powers to the courts when dealing with people convicted of serious public order offences.

It will allow the courts to hand out tougher punishments to those in a position of trust, authority or influence and who use their profile to stir up hatred.

Those who incite serious violence or persistently offend could also face the tougher new maximum sentence being considered.

The proposals were drafted after officials considered the cases of hate preachers including Abu Hamza and Sheikh Abdullah el-Faisal.

Hamza was convicted of stirring up racial hatred in 2006 and was subsequently extradited to the United States where he was jailed for life for terrorism offences.

Faisal was also convicted of stirring up racial hatred after urging his followers to murder Jews, Hindus and Christians. He was eventually deported to Jamaica.