AN identity card is being launched in a Teesdale market town to cut down on underage drinking.

Members of Barnard Castle's Pubwatch association are launching the scheme because they say a nationwide identity card scheme is ineffective because of forgeries.

Landlords in the town are launching their own card, which will provide proof that a young person is over 18.

To qualify for the Barnard Castle card, young people must provide proof of age and a passport photo, or have one of their parents sign the form.

Andy Power, the landlord of the Black Horse and chairman of the Barnard Castle Licensees Association, which incorporates Pubwatch, said: "We have to be extra vigilant.

"If people are over 18, we want to be able to welcome them into our pubs, but we need to be sure to protect our licenses.

"This is something we've been thinking about for a while.

"A lot of landlords don't trust the national proof of age cards.

"There's been a lot of publicity, they're getting very easy to reproduce."

Applications for the Barnard Castle identity card can be obtained from participating pubs and the police.

It will cost £1 to apply for the card and it will be valid at 23 licensed premises in Barnard Castle and Teesdale.

There will also be a phone number on the rear of the card which landlords who are not participating in the scheme can ring if the card is presented as ID at their premises.