The UK government is reviewing proposals to make all computer-generated images and other non-photographic images of child sexual abuse illegal.

Justice Minister Maria Eagle said that individuals prosecuted for possessing such images will face criminal charges and up to three years in prison.

The proposals follow a public consultation on the possession of non-photographic visual depictions of children engaged in sexual activity.

Ministers have suggested that paedophiles could be exploiting a legal loophole by using computer technology to turn real photographs or videos of abuse into drawings or cartoons.

Possession of photos of child pornography is unlawful and the distribution or sale of such material is prohibited under the Obscene Publications Act.

However, drawings and computer generated images of child abuse are not currently covered by the legislation.

The proposals announced today will create a new criminal offence of possessing drawings and computer-generated images of children engaged in sexual activity.

"These new proposals will help close a loophole that we believe paedophiles are using to create images of child sexual abuse," said Eagle.

"This is not about criminalising art or pornographic cartoons more generally, but about targeting obscene, and often very realistic, images of child sexual abuse which have no place in our society."

However, a major hurdle for authorities wanting to prosecute someone under these laws will be proving that the images depict children.

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice told vnunet.com: "The age of the depicted character would be a matter for a jury to take a view on, which is similar to the current situation with photographs and pseudo-photographs."

Any decision would come down to the predominant impression of the images involved, according to the spokeswoman, and whether it appeared that the child was intended to be depicted as underaged.

"As with pseudo-photographs, careful consideration will be given to the statutory definition of the cartoon child images which we are targeting," she said.

"Working within the framework of that definition it will be for the jury to ascertain whether or not the cartoon in question depicts a child character."