UK internet service providers are now hosting almost no illegal content, according to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).

In its 2003 annual report the organisation reported that less than one per cent of all illegal content is now hosted in the UK, down from 18 per cent in 1997.

The IWF attributes the fall to tougher laws, more co-operation from ISPs, a more motivated public response and improved police communication.

"The IWF model is so successful because everyone works together," said Fay McDonald, communication co-ordinator at the IWF.

"This is the message we are giving out overseas in the US and Russia. We would like to see some high-level strategic discussions to get global laws. You cannot change this overnight, but there are things that can be done."

McDonald praised the police for improving communications with the IWF and informing the public that the service existed. Many calls from the police are as a direct result of referrals from the public.

The report found that the US was the worst offender when it came to hosting child abuse content, with 55 per cent of data stored on American ISPs' servers. Russia was second at 22 per cent, and western Europe third at six per cent.

More worrying was the rise in racially abusive content, up 101 per cent over the past year. Overall reports of offensive content by the public were up nine per cent at 20,000 a year.

A coalition of the Internet Service Providers' Association, the London Internet Exchange and the Safety Net Foundation established the IWF in September 1996.

Reports can be made at the IWF website here.