Clean-up the soaps

Television soaps faced pressure to cut down on sex and violence last night after one of the biggest ever viewers' surveys declared them to be unsuitable for families.

A poll of 6,000 people found an 'overwhelming majority' were concerned about children watching TV before the 9pm watershed.

Soaps, in particular, came under fire. The damning 90-page study, by the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, criticised channels for failing in their remit to show high-quality 'public service' TV.

It also accused them of dumbing down, chasing ratings and relying too much on 'copycat and celebrity programming' such as Big Brother.

'(Parents) think pre-watershed content, particularly in soaps, is unsuitable for children,' said the report.

'They feel it would help if there were more programmes specifically targeted at children, particularly older children aged ten and upwards, at the equivalent point in the schedules.'

On BBC2, there have been ' significant increases in light entertainment and factual' - especially leisure - shows. But arts has fallen by 22 per cent and drama 18 per cent.

Ofcom also suggested that some of the BBC's digital channels, such as arts station BBC4, should be funded by subscription, instead of the licence fee.

Ofcom has the power to punish broadcasters which break regulations.

It can fine the BBC up to £250,000 and other channels up to five per cent of their revenue. BBC sources accused Ofcom of 'politicking' last night.

They claimed the regulator wants to increase its powers over the corporation and convince the Government it should replace the BBC's board of governors-when the charter is renewed.