THE fight against hooliganism and under-age drinking has a new weapon in the Consett area.

Police have asked off-licences and other shops with drink licences in the town to sell alcohol to over-21s only on Friday and Saturday nights.

The scheme is designed to prevent older youths from buying alcohol for groups of teenagers.

Police believe that the scheme, which has been taken up by a number of stores, will also help counteract vandalism.

Acting sergeant Michael Dunn said he picked up the idea on the beat in Delves Lane, near Consett.

The suggestion had been taken up elsewhere and now a lot of smaller outlets across the area were operating the scheme.

He said: "I thought that it was a good idea because there was a real problem with youths causing annoyance.

"My chief inspector, Bob Glass, also thought it was a good idea, and we asked shops to take part in the voluntary scheme, getting posters up and so on.

"So far it has been a success, although some of the bigger outlets and national chains have not been able to take it up."

Acting Sgt Dunn said that it was now against the law to buy alcohol for under-18s, under new legislation.

The manager of a Spar shop in the Blackhill area of Consett, Ray Young, has taken up the scheme, after receiving a letter from police.

He said: "We've had trouble with up to 100 youngsters hanging around. At one point they even caused vandalism at the cemetery here.

"This was one way to help the police deal with it, and I know other responsible places are doing the same."

Meanwhile, November 23 has been set as the date for an application to sell alcohol from a Fina garage in Villa Real Road, in the town.

Consett police have sought more information about the application and the leader of Derwentside District Council, Alex Watson, has asked magistrates to reject the plan.