Britain’s six biggest internet service providers (ISPs) have signed up to a government clampdown on illegal downloading of music and films.

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The big six ISPs – BT, Virgin Media, Orange, Tiscali, BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse – have signed up to the industry agreement, which is backed by the Government’s departments for business and culture.

Around 6.5 million Britons have reportedly downloaded files illegally over the past year.

Estimates suggest that the practice will cost the music industry up to £1 billion over the next five years.

The fightback against online piracy will begin with letters to thousands of the most prolific downloaders to inform them that their activity has been detected and is being monitored.

It is understood that the ISPs have agreed to commit themselves to developing legal file-sharing services and to ensure their customers know that it is illegal to share copyright-protected music.

It is thought likely that many parents will learn for the first time from the letters that their children are using their bedroom PCs and laptops for illegal piracy.

ISPs and film and music companies are expected to develop a new code of practice together on how they will deal with infringements, and the Government will then look at their proposals and consider how they can be backed up by new laws.