THE former licensee of a town centre pub has escaped court proceedings after police found alcohol being served to underage teenage drinkers.

Ian Russell, licensee of Edison's, off Scotland Road, will be handed a police caution for the offences, discovered in June.

Charges were dropped against the 41-year-old last Wednesday at Warrington Magistrate's Court after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to take up the case.

Russell left the company three weeks ago and has decided to leave the licensing trade. Another licensee has taken up his post at Edison's.

Teenagers were caught drinking illegally at the pub on June 3. Police licensing officers raided the premises as part of a major crackdown on underage drinkers.

Back in August, the proprietor of town centre bar Tiger Too appeared in court after being caught selling alcohol to young boozers. He was fined £500.