The BBC has launched a new 'family friendly' internet search engine which it claims can filter out porn and will be slanted to UK sites.

Ashley Highfield, BBC New Media director, said the advertising-free site, BBCi Search, was developed after research showed the majority of UK web users were dissatisfied with current search options.

A recent survey by National Opinion Polls (NOP), commissioned by the BBC, found 80 per cent of British web surfers felt current search engines could be improved.

It also discovered that 64 per cent were frustrated by the amount of US sites and advertisers they came across.

Available from the homepage www.bbc.co.uk, the BBC search engine jointly delivers UK and foreign websites, but with hierarchical preference given to the most relevant UK destinations.

Highfield said: "It is quite clear that the current search marketplace doesn't have the needs of internet users at its heart.

"The BBC, with its 80 years of know-how and editorial expertise, is ideally placed to provide a UK-focused search engine that will not be tainted by paid-for results," he said.

The Beeb says sophisticated software is used to screen porn from its search database.