Internet Service Providers may have to close users' connections if they are repeatedly caught downloading illegal video or music under new government plans.

An upcoming Green Paper on creative industries proposes a legal requirement for ISPs to take action against pirates, according to The Times.

It would apparently introduce a "three strikes" system with suspected users sent a warning, being suspended and finally being thrown off the network. Providers who fail to comply could be prosecuted with courts allowed to see customers’ details.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport today admitted it had sent draft proposals out but insisted they were at an early stage: "The content and proposals for the strategy have been significantly developed since then and a comprehensive plan to bolster the UK's creative industries will be published shortly."

ISPs face increasing demands to crack down from the music, film and television industries which want to make money from legal alternatives.

A voluntary system has been under discussion for some time but with no results so far.

The Internet Service Providers Association, responding to the reported proposals, said: "Every right-thinking body knows that self-regulation is much the better option in these areas... ISPs bear no liability for illegal file sharing as the content is not hosted on their servers."

Roz Groome, NBC Universal's anti-piracy vice president, said action was needed: "We welcome the signal from Government that it values the health of the creative industries and takes seriously the damage caused by widespread online copyright infringement. We call upon ISPs to take action now.

"They must play their part in the fight against online piracy and work with rights owners to ensure that ISPs’ customers do not use their services for illegal activity. Piracy stifles innovation and threatens the long term health of our industry."