The BBC Trust is set to approve plans to allow broadband access through television sets, it has been reported.

Web services such as the corporation's iPlayer will be made available through a new internet-enabled set-top box, under the Project Canvas venture.

According to the Financial Times, the BBC's governing body had been deliberating whether the scheme represents a suitable use of licence payer's money, but is ready to give it the green light.

Along with terrestrial broadcasters Channel 4, ITV and Five, Project Canvas is also being supported by broadband providers BT and the Carphone Warehouse.

Max Alexander, Senior Director for TV at TalkTalk, the telecommunications arm of Carphone Warehouse, commented last week that joining the project was set to lead to an improvement in service quality for the firm's four million UK customers.

He said the internet service provider had "led the way" in making the internet accessible to consumers, and would continue to do so.