DAVE Watts has called on police and magistrates to take a tougher line against off-licences that provide under-age drinkers with low-cost, high alcohol drinks.

The St Helens North MP said he was convinced that some off-sales outlets were selling strong alcoholic drinks knowing that they would end up in the hands of under-age drinkers. "It is clear that while many off-sales outlets do all they can to restrict the sale of such drinks to young people some stores continue to sell drinks which are clearly aimed at the under-age market.

"This year's long hot summer led to an increased number of young people drinking in our parks which has often led to anti-social behaviour and crime and petty vandalism.

"I have written to the local police and the magistrates seeking a joint meeting with them, at which I will seek an assurance that they will take much stronger action to address this problem.

"Like most people in St Helens, I am aware of a number of off-licences which sell low-cost, high-alcohol drinks aimed at young drinkers. I am also aware that the owners believe their only legal responsibility is to restrict the sales of such drinks to the under-18s.

"I intend to press both the police and the magistrates courts to deal with this problem of under-age drinking in public parks and the anti-social behaviour problems that result in making many of our parks no go areas for families in the summer".