COUNCIL chiefs are considering introducing a proof of age card for young people to help cut illegal sales of age restricted products.

The scheme would involve teenagers carrying a picture identity card that could be produced when trying to buy products such as cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, solvents, lottery tickets or adult videos.

Clr Mary Greenslade, chairman of the environment sub-committee, gave her backing to the scheme. She said: "I think it will work but the important thing is to get the backing of young people.

"We want people to want to use it, so a card that also offered incentives, such as free phone calls or discounts, would be more popular. You can't impose this sort of thing because it will just end up in the bin."

She acknowledged that the introduction of a card would not totally wipe out the problems of illegal sales.

"One problem that will remain is younger people getting adults to buy things for them. It is a difficult problem to solve unless we place a policeman outside every shop."

But she warned that council leaders would take a hard line with shopkeepers: "We do get to know about places that sell illegally to young people through residents and parish councils. We will issue warnings to these places and keep a close eye on them."

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