MSPs are to be given the power to ban airguns in Scotland as part of new plans yet to be unveiled.

Firearm legislation is currently reserved to Westminster, but an agreement has been reached to transfer the authority for weapons to Holyrood.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy is expected to announce a transfer of power when he sets out the government response to the Calman Commission review of devolution.

A Scotland Office spokesman said that the UK Government would be setting out its response to Calman "very shortly" and that "air weapons will be dealt with as part of that".

The move has also been called for by the parents of two-year-old Andrew Morton, who died in 2005 after he was hit in the head by an airgun pellet in Easterhouse, Glasgow.

His parents, Sharon McMillan and Andy Morton, have campaigned tirelessly for a change in the law and welcomed the news.

Sharon said: "This is the best Christmas present we ever could have wished for.

"This might not be the end, but I feel we have turned a corner and it's certainly the beginning of the end.

"I feel we are fulfilling the promise to Andrew that we made at his graveside, and that is for a total ban on airguns in Scotland."

A spokesman for Michael Russell, minister for constitution, said: "The Scottish Government published the necessary Parliamentary Orders in the summer to transfer a range of key powers to Holyrood, as recommended by the Calman Commission - including over air weapons.

"These changes should be happening right now, but Labour have refused to support any action until after the next election, which is very disappointing.

"Bringing responsibility for firearms legislation to Holyrood will allow us to create a firearms regime that meets Scotland's needs, concerns and circumstances.

"Unfortunately, Jim Murphy and the Labour Party are trying to kick constitutional progress for Scotland into the long grass."