A consulatation has been launched by the Scottish Government inviting comment on proposals to reguate the sale of knives.

Some of the new measures proposed include requirements that written records are kept of how a customer's age and identity were verified, full descriptions of knives sold and a ban on displays visible from the street or public entrance. The measures apply to the sale of  non-domestic knives.

Sellers of non-domestic knives would need to be licensed by the local authority and comply with mandatory conditions set out by the Scottish Government.

"We are also suggesting that anyone seeking to buy a sword must be able to prove the intended use - for example by producing a membership card or letter from a society with a recognised reason for using swords," said Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill.

"People with a legitimate reason for owning non-domestic knives having nothing to fear from this, we are particularly looking for views from interest groups. This is designed to help stop these lethal weapons finding their way on to our streets and into the hands of those that seek them to do damage to another."

The consultation period ends on 22 October.