A HITLIST of 50 pubs has been drawn up by police expecting to receive powers enabling them to close premises which have problems with violence.

Officers from Middlesbrough's district licensing unit (DLU) have compiled a list of potential hotspots ahead of the Government introducing the new powers.

Police are trying to deal with the problem of under-age drinkers. Licensees are being asked to be more vigilant in looking out for young drinkers and to turn them away or face losing their licence.

PC Revis Phillips, from the DLU, said: "We receive dozens of calls after a weekend, particularly from concerned parents of youngsters that have returned home drunk after visiting the town centre, and these are on the increase."

Officers will be using under-18s as volunteers to go into pubs to try to buy alcohol as part of the clampdown.

PC Phillips said: "We are going to be taking positive action against those who are not abiding by the legislation. Not only does the licensee risk losing their licence, any bar staff caught serving drinks to under-18s can be taken to court, where they face a fine of up to £1,000.

"What I do want to see is pubs and clubs asking for proof of identity - whether it be the validate card that was launched recently, the Portman Group card, a driver's licence or passport, which are the only real proof of age."