A plan to three-dimensionally map streets in Britain has been given the go-ahead by the UK privacy watchdog.

The Google Street View scheme aims to take pictures of streets and put them online as part of Google maps for people to see what areas look like.

The Information Commissioner has discussed the system with Google and is satisfied that it does not breach the Data Protection Act.

After talks with Google the ICO found that "Google is keen to capture images of streets and not individuals."

Google says it is blurring number plates and faces to protect privacy.

The system already exists in the US.