HEADTEACHERS are joining police on weekend patrols in a move to curb underage drinking.

The teachers are helping police identify pupils, some as young as 13, who are drinking in pubs, clubs and on the streets at night.

The first headteacher to take part in the scheme was Stuart Rees, of West Redcar School, Redcar, east Cleveland, who joined police in a search for teenage drinkers on Saturday night.

No youngsters were caught, but police said other east Cleveland schools were interested in getting involved in the scheme.

The approach has been used only once before in the UK, in Lancashire.

Inspector Dave Mead, of Langbaurgh's community safety department, said: "Saturday was a trial and it worked very well, though we might tweak the times to a Friday night and stay out later, until midnight.

"We have interest from other schools, but we cannot name them as this would reduce the impact.

"This is not just a threat - it it now part of our anti-social behaviour strategy.

"I would like to praise Mr Rees for taking part. His is not a problem school, but I appreciate his support."

Mr Rees said: "Alcohol and drugs make it harder for us to teach children and to raise their aspirations and levels of achievement."