The online encyclopaedia Wikipedia says it has taken an "important step" towards making it easier to edit some of its most controversial articles. Up to 2,000 articles, including a page about former US President George W Bush, will have their strict editing restrictions relaxed. Users will now be able to submit changes to the selected pages for review by senior editors. It is part of Wikipedia's ongoing efforts to curb vandalism of the site. Wikipedia's founder Jimmy Wales told BBC News that the new system, called "pending changes" will allow the site "to open up articles for general editing that have been protected or semi-protected for years. "That's what is exciting about this," he said. False reports Wikipedia encourages editorial changes from everybody who comes to the site. However, it has been plagued by persistent problems such as the malicious editing of entries, and repeated editing of controversial topics. As a result, the site has introduced a number of levels of protection that can be applied to articles. For example, new or anonymous users could previously be prevented from editing "semi-protected" articles, and were forced to suggest changes on a discussion board attached to each article before they could be incorporated. Semi-protected articles cover a wide range of subjects including Iceland, David Cameron, George W Bush and even homework. The new changes should make it easier for users to contribute to these pages, the site says. Mr Wales said that he was pleased to see the pages opening up again. "These have had to be semi-protected for years just because they are too tempting for naughty people to try something funny," he said. "But semi-protection has prevented thoughtful and sincere newcomers from making good changes." Pending Changes will be introduced at 11pm GMT on 15 June.