Amazon has pledged to introduce tougher age checks when selling knives after a 16-year-old schoolboy was fatally stabbed with a blade bought online.

Bailey Gwynne, 16, died after being stabbed through the heart at school in Aberdeen last October.

His killer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with murder but found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

The teenager was also found guilty of repeatedly carrying a knife, which he bought from Amazon despite being only 16.

An STV News journalist was recently able to purchase a two-inch folding knife from the online retailer without having to confirm they were over 18.

Amazon is among 12 major retailers which have committed to introducing more stringent age checks on knife sales, better staff training and more secure packaging.

Bailey’s killer told detectives how he bought the knife used to stab him from Amazon and had it delivered secretly to the house he shared with his mother in Aberdeen.

The 16-year-old said he purchased the knife over the internet because "they don't check if you're over 18". He also bought knuckledusters online and the internet history on his laptop showed Google searches including "illegal knives UK" and "knuckledusters UK".

Home secretary Theresa May, who chaired a meeting on knife crime with members of the British Retail Consortium last week, added: “Knife crime has a devastating impact on victims, families and communities, and I am determined to do all I can to prevent it.

“Retailers have a vital role to play in this fight and I welcome today’s commitment. Knives have no place on our streets.”