By Paul Hutcheon

CALLS to regulate the social networking site Facebook have been stepped up after it was flooded with sectarian messages.

The site, which has been accessed by 110 million people worldwide since its launch in 2004, allows friends to talk and play games with each other and is especially popular among the 18-30 age group.

However, the site attracted controversy last year after it emerged that the British National Party was using it to canvass for members.

One group, entitled Vote BNP and Save the World, shows people dressed as Ku Klux Klan members, with the caption reading: "Local BNP meeting, blacks welcome."

Now Facebook is also facing the problem of dealing with groups that use the site to post sectarian messages. One outfit, called "The We Hate Rangers Appreciation Society", includes a number of contributions that could be deemed inflammatory. An anti-Celtic site also includes content which appears to stir up religious hatred.

Facebook's terms and conditions state that groups can be removed for sharing anything that is "harmful, threatening, hateful or racially or ethnically objectionable".

Labour MSP Bill Butler said: "This highlights an urgent need for a dedicated and co-ordinated anti-sectarianism strategy; a strategy that goes into our schools and communities but also communicates effectively within the 21st century."

Richard Benjamin, the campaigns manger for anti-sectarianism charity Nil By Mouth, said: "We are well aware the internet is a potential forum for sectarian views. Ultimately it is up to Facebook to monitor content and remove anything that is offensive."

A spokesman for Facebook said: "Facebook has a dedicated team which looks for violations of its terms of use. We also actively encourage users to report any material they find offensive or inappropriate."