TEENAGERS went home thirsty after a joint crackdown on youthful tipplers as part of Operation Wasted.

Police estimate more than 400 youngsters, hopeful of a night out in the town centre, were turned away as licensing officers and doormen insisted on identification before allowing fresh-faced revellers into bars and clubs.

Young people who came to town armed with "prove it" cards or other forms of photo ID were applauded by police, who concentrated mainly on bars attracting younger drinkers.

Licensing chiefs say that despite a couple of flashpoints, the vast majority of people they encountered appreciated the reasoning behind the under-age drive.

Insp Mike Naughton, head of Warrington Police's licensing section, said: "It is not a problem for individual pubs but a town-wide problem.

"The landlords were pleased with the initiative. Warrington has a reputation as a 'young' town. We think we turned away about 400 youngsters so this would seem to be the case."

Pc Tracy Loftus added: "It went very well - we had a number of officers and members of the special constabulary on the doors. The majority understood what we were doing."

Pub managers and landlords also expressed their support for the scheme and doormen are thought to have welcomed the extra support from officers.

Relief manager Stephen Barnes, at Bar Tempo, said: "Generally speaking it was a good idea and I would welcome a lot more input from police on things like this.

"The police on the door were brilliant, really friendly. The doormen were a bit wary at first but it was fine."

Neil Turner, assistant manager at Yates Wine Lodge, said his bar didn't usually experience difficulties with young drinkers but added: "The clientele here is a little older. But I don't want my kids in pubs when they are only 16 so I was happy with it."

Police will now assess their findings before deciding on their plan of action to tackle underage drinking.

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