PEOPLE working in offlicences are being shown how to spot fake IDs and catch out under- age drinkers.

Trading standards in Warrington are targeting young boozers by providing clearer information about valid ID cards.

Linked to the successful Drink - Draw the Line campaign, the council's under age alcohol sales coordinator Dianne Shaughnessy has been visiting off-licences.

Posters have also been produced for schools, colleges and youth centres.

Mrs Shaughnessy said: "A large number of offlicence workers had never seen a number of the cards and wouldn't recognise them if they were shown to them.

"There are so many good fake identity cards available on the internet that we thought it was essential that people working in the various shops were given the clear information they need to recognise the fakes and refuse to sell to underage youngsters trying to buy alcohol.

"We are sending out a clear and simple message to young people - if you're not old enough, you won't get served."

Cllr Pat Wright, the council's executive member for community services, said: "Working in partnership with the industry and other agencies in the borough is crucial if we are to get the message of responsible drinking into people ' s minds and make a real and lasting impact on people's drinking habits."

Undercover test purchases will still be carried out to catch off-licence workers selling alcohol to youngsters.