Brighton and Hove youngsters will be among the first in the country to be taught a foreign language at the age of seven.

The city council has been chosen to pilot Government efforts to increase the number of British children who can speak a second language.

Children in countries such as France begin learning English at primary school age.

But British youngsters have to wait until they attend secondary school at 11 before they tackle a foreign language, making it difficult to catch up.

The Department for Education has picked Brighton and Hove to develop a national strategy for seven to 11-year-olds.

Youngsters in the city will be given the chance to learn at least one foreign language.

Education Minister Baroness Ashton said: "We want to make sure children are excited by languages by the time they get to secondary school so they have a real choice to take their studies further."

A total of 19 local education authorities will take part in the languages pilot scheme.