STAFF at an off-licence have told of the abuse and intimidation they are forced to endure for refusing to sell alcohol to underage drinkers.

Shop assistants have received death threats and verbal abuse when they have refused to sell alcohol to people without proof of age.

Workers at the Spar shop, in Duke Street, Darlington, will also not sell to anyone they suspect will then pass it to underage drinkers.

Last week, 11 sales were refused, and more were stopped even before reaching the checkout. The store has a strict policy of not selling to under-21s, and has an in-built mechanism in the till system to stop sales to anyone without ID.

Pat Lyle and Lynne Toyne, who have worked in the shop for five years, told The Northern Echo the abuse from some youths had been "horrible".

Mrs Toyne said: "I've had death threats, people saying they know where I live and will trash my house - all for doing my job.

"One Friday night, one of our male staff was threatened that a bottle would be smashed over his head."

Mrs Lyle added: "There's a girl who's about 16 and is so abusive because I won't serve her - her language is unbelievable. Her friends bang on the windows outside, trying to intimidate us. It is appalling.

"One guy who is a regular customer bought two bottles of Lambrini. I knew he didn't usually buy that, so followed him outside and he gave it to two girls who weren't more than 14. So I took it off him.

"I think responsible adults trying to buy for children is even worse than children doing it."

Staff want people to produce identification willingly, and are backing an Association of Convenience Stores campaign called No ID No Sale.

"I have even asked a policewoman and a pub manager because I wasn't convinced they were over 21," said Mrs Toyne. "People should ask themselves, would they like to be in our position."

Manager Peter Nellist said: "Abuse of our staff is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate it.

"A lot of people we ask for ID seem to take it as a personal insult, but it's very difficult to tell the ages of people between 15 and 22."

Inspector Sue Collingwood, of Durham Police, praised the shop's stance on refusing sales.

"It is important people stand up for the law, show strength of character, and refuse sales where appropriate," she said. "If incidents are happening where staff are being intimidated, we would urge them to contact us."