'UNDER-AGE drinkers face a new clampdown. And police have warned young street-boozers that their alcohol will be confiscated.

Already two groups of local youngsters have had their drinks taken away by police.

A new Act of Parliament gives police powers to act when unlawful drinking takes place in public.

The Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons') Act also gives police the power to arrest any youngster who refuses to surrender the alcohol or give their name and address.

Welcoming the powers, Supt Malcolm Howells, head of Leigh Police said: "Anything which allows us to nip problems in the bud rather than allow this minority of young people to disrupt the greater Leigh area has got to be a step in the right direction."

And he added: "This Act will be rigourously enforced."

Mr Howells added that the source of any unlawful drink would be investigated and parents would also be informed of their childrens' activities.

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