UNDERAGE drinkers and smokers are being tackled in Burnley through a new 'Agecheck' scheme aimed at helping shopkeepers get to grips with trouble teens.

Lancashire County Council Trading Standards officers and Burnley Community Safety Partnership have formed a partnership to launch the new Agecheck scheme to deter youngsters from attempted illegal purchases.

Teens buying alcohol, fireworks cigarettes, over 18 videos and restricted types of glue, are being targeted through the scheme.

Officials hope the initiative, run in conjunction with the 100% Proof scheme where youngsters are asked to produced recognised identification, will help reduce loutish behaviour on the streets.

More than 20 traders attended the launch of Agecheck launch at Turf Moor. Packs and posters, containing details of which forms of age identification youngsters can use, are also being distributed to pubs, clubs and schools.

Officers working in conjunction with Lancashire Police have also been taking advantage of advantage of new "test purchasing" laws which enable them to use children as 'mystery' shoppers.

The youngsters are specially selected to look their age and in December a 13-year-old child was served alcohol at 33 per cent of outlets approached in Burnley and Pendle.

Regular mystery shoppers are now being used across the area to to stamp out the alarming trend. And shopkeepers were today warned they could face a maximum £5,000 fine or the loss of their licence to sell alcohol if they are caught out.

County Councillor Doreen Pollitt, Lancashire County Council Deputy Leader said: "Many traders find it difficult to refuse to sell age-restricted products. In fact a national survey showed that six in 10 traders had faced violence or abuse for refusing to make a sale.

"Our Agecheck packs contain posters for shopkeepers to display prominently and point out to the would-be underage buyer.

"It isn't only about alcohol and fireworks. The campaign also applies to things such as video nasties and restricted types of glue - all areas of community concern.

"Our aim is to make it easier for traders to refuse such sales and are happy to let them deflect the buck on to officialdom, so long as it helps in keeping certain products out of the wrong hands."

Licensing officer Gill Sherratt said: "It's a growing problem, not just here but all over the country. We have various initiatives on-going to help tackle the problem.

"We carried out a test purchasing operation last week in Burnley where three shops failed. Another operation in Bacup the week before saw two shops failing." Councillor Pollitt added: "The sight of the posters alone should deter many underage purchasers."