LANCASHIRE County Council is making funding available to help to crack down on alcohol sales to under-age drinkers.

Responsibility for checking the sale of alcohol to under 18s has been given to local trading standards departments. Activity will be co-ordinated with the police who share the enforcement responsibility and this will support the work of local community safety partnerships across the county. Cabinet members County Councillor Tim Ormrod and Ruth Henig have agreed a funding package to enable enforcement to be developed and additional funds are being sought from other sources

County Councillor Ormrod, Cabinet Member for Public Protection and Rural Affairs, said: "National statistics show that over 25 per cent of children who drink, buy it from shop and off-licenses and we are concerned to reduce these sales. "We aim to help tackle this by addressing the responsibility of licensed retailers and as part of a range of wider educational initiatives".

County Councillor Ruth Henig, chairman of Lancashire Police Authority and cabinet member for cross cutting issues, added: "We know that a significant number of crimes and complaints of nuisance are alcohol-related.

"The impact of alcohol on health at an early age are also well documented. We will work closely with our community safety partners and the local partnerships to address these community concerns.

"By working together we can make sure this issue gets the attention it deserves. We will be one of the first areas in the country to dedicate resources to dealing with this nationally recognised problem."