OFF-LICENCES are being given new technology to combat fake IDs and tackle anti-social behaviour caused by under age drinking.

Pendle off-licensees will be armed with hand-held ultra-violet lights to help detect fraudulent driving licence photo-cards or passports from February.

The scheme has been brought in to stop people using fake identification and establish where under-age drinkers are getting their alcohol from.

The UV lights, which are being distributed by the council's licensing section, in conjunction with Pendle Community Safety Partnership and the Police, can identify holograms that are invisible to the naked eye.

These holograms feature on genuine forms of identification but not on the fakes.

Inspector Russ Procter said: "We fully back this initiative and believe that this is yet another tool to help in identifying underage drinkers.

"It will also help in dealing with the anti-social behaviour that can result from under-age drinking.

"Alcohol and youths is not a good mix and we do have a problem with under-age drinking in the area, like most areas.

"On Saturdays and Sundays people can wake up and their cars have been damaged or their wing mirrors taken and these activities can be attributed to intoxication.

"We want to establish where the alcohol is coming from. Is it coming from home addresses, supermarkets or proxy purchasing.

"This is a way to find out and ensure we are supporting the licensees."

Mick Armfield, the licensing enforcement officer, said: "We have made real progress by working together with the licensees in an effort to reduce sales of alcohol to under 18-year-olds.

"Fake ID cards can be bought via the internet for as little as £15, making the licensees task all that more difficult.

"Shining the ultra-violet light over a legitimate card will identify holograms that are invisible to the naked eye.

"There are no holograms on fraudulent cards.

"There is also an added bonus that the lights can be used to check for counterfeit currency."