Internet users in France who download music and films without paying for them will find their web access shut down by a government body, under a ground-breaking industry agreement backed by President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The plan, which Mr Sarkozy will endorse in a speech today, will put France at the forefront of the battle against internet piracy with a three-strikes-and-you-are-out policy against repeat offenders, with the aim of reducing illegal file-sharing.