PARENTS worried about their children's drinking are now able to refer them to a special project for help.

The Hartlepool-based Straight-Line Project works with young people aged 11 to 17 to help them realise the problems that are created by underage drinking and how it can affect their lives in the future.

Referrals have previously only been made by Cleveland Police, Hartlepool Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and other statutory agencies, but now the service has been extended to any parents who may be worried about the amount of alcohol consumed by their children.

The Straight-Line Project is run through the Hartlepool Youth Offending Service, but not all young people involved are part of the criminal justice system.

June Fawcett, nurse advisor for the Youth Offending Service, said: "We wanted to extend the service so that the appropriate people get the support they need."

Last year, the project worked with 114 young people identified as having problems with alcohol and who had ignored a previous warning from a referral agency.

Now the team has been expanded with the appointment of Terry Lahney, who will be helping with parental referrals.

He said: "A lot of parents are quite shocked when they find out how much alcohol their child has been consuming and the majority are very eager to assist in putting a stop to it."

Parents worried about their children's alcohol consumption can contact June Fawcett or Terry Lahney on 01429-284186.