Isle of Man residents should be able to find out if they have a convicted paedophile living in their area.

That's the opinion of North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson, who wants to see the introduction of a Manx version of Sarah's Law.

The United Kingdom legislation, named after murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne, was recently extended to include more areas of England, following a successful trial period.

Mr Henderson says it's essential for the Island to have a similar law, so it isn't insulated from child sex crimes.

He will be asking a question on the subject in the House of Keys tomorrow, and told Manx Radio:

"I've certainly, over the past few years, had parents report to me with previously convicted sex offenders here hanging around children's playgrounds and schools, and so on, where we've had to have the police involved.

"It's very important that families have a right of input into the information, and how to assist their kids and work with the police and authorities on such serious matters as these.

"Sarah's Law gives them that way in, but takes away the oft used phrase about vigilante beatings and all the rest of it."