POLICE chiefs are warning east Durham licensees that they must play their part in tackling the problem of under-age drinking or risk paying a tough penalty.

The message follows a police operation which led to the Peterlee branch of a national newsagents' chain losing its drinks licence for selling alcohol to girls aged 14 and 15.

With their parents approval, the girls were acting under police orders as part of a test purchase operation.

The pair were discreetly supervised by police as they visited outlets in the Peterlee area to buy drinks.

They were refused at nearly every store apart from the Forbuoys' branch in the town's Oakerside Drive.

Over the course of three visits to the shop, staff served the two girls with vodka-based drinks, strong cider and a bottle of sparkling wine. At no time were they asked to prove their age or identity.

Following the third visit, police informed managers at Forbuoys that they would be applying for the shop's drinks licence to be taken away.

Last week, magistrates agreed to the police request and withdrew the store's licence.

Forbuoys has, however, appealed against the decision and, pending the outcome of the appeal, the store can continue to sell alcohol.

Superintendent Carole Thompson, Easington police chief, said that many incidents police had to deal with involving young people related directly to alcohol misuse.

"We take a very firm stance on licensing issues within the district, and I must remind licensees of their responsibilities. One of these is to ensure staff do not sell liquor to young people under the age of 18.

"If they fail to comply with the legislation, I will have no hesitation in applying for a revocation of their licence. Several initiatives are ongoing to combat the problem of alcohol misuse, one of which is test purchase operations; these will continue throughout the year," she said.

Supt Thompson said, however that managers at Forbuoys had been cooperative with the police since the test case operation took place and had pledged to implement a ban on alcohol sales to anyone who looked under 21 and to install closed-circuit television.