THE grandfather of teenager Ashleigh Hall, who was killed after meeting a man via the internet, has welcomed a new voluntary safety code due to be adopted by 140 websites.

Last night, Mike Hall said he was delighted that the internet sites were listening to calls for more advice on internet safety.

The websites, which include social networking site Facebook and many companies, charities and groups, will install panic buttons on their pages.

Tomorrow, all 140 websites will sign up to a number of safety standards recommended by the Government’s advisor on internet safety, Professor Tanya Byron. Principally, they will all install panic buttons similar to those already used by the networking website Bebo.

The buttons allow children to report obscene or inappropriate content to the sites’ operators, who will give a commitment that the report will be acted upon promptly.

Other provisions include giving parents greater control over how their children use the internet.

Sites are obliged to use “safe search” facilities and controls so that parents can restrict access to pages that may be offensive. The launch of the voluntary code of conduct will include senior cabinet ministers, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The body of Ashleigh Hall was discovered in a field near Sedgefield, County Durham, in October.

The day before, she went missing after arranging to meet a man on a social networking website.

The Northern Echo has set up the Safety Net campaign, which has called for more advice to be given in schools on internet safety.

In addition to the industry code of conduct, the Government is to concentrate on giving more advice to parents, such as the need to keep home computers in areas where they can keep an eye on children’s use.

The Government will also launch a national advertising campaign aimed at parents, teachers and children.

Last night, Mr Hall said: “This is brilliant – it’s really good news.

“It’s nice to know that they’re acting on it.”

Details on the guidelines will be drawn up by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety which was set up following a review by Prof Byron in March last year.

They will focus on websites such as chatrooms, instant messaging and search websites.