LEYLAND police are getting tough on people who buy alcohol for children.

As part of Operation Carrier Bag, officers are calling on traders to support the crackdown.

Miles Watson, manager of Bannister Drive Stores, Leyland, has his own reasons for supporting the move. He said: "I have grandchildren of my own and I wouldn't be happy if other people were buying alcohol for them.

Police are urging off-licences and traders selling alcohol to log the number of refusals and report offending adults.

Mr Watson believes his strict policies help keep problems in the area to a minimum.

"There is a problem with youths smashing phone boxes and hanging around on the streets. Hopefully by prosecuting the adults who buy alcohol for young people we can stop this juvenile nuisance."

Police are hoping the initiative will follow-in the success of on-going Operation Calm which pinpoints underage children congregating and drinking alcohol in public, causing general nuisance and criminal offences.

To date more than 200 litres of alcohol have been seized from underage youths and 125 youth referral letters were sent to parents of the children involved in the last two years.