YOUNGSTERS in Hartlepool are being urged to help trading standards officers by taking up the offer of free proof-of-age cards.

Teenagers who have left school but are not in further education are being targeted in the initiative.

Michael Welsh, Hartlepool Borough Council's trading standards manager, said: "This will allow retailers to refuse to sell a wide range of age-restricted products such as cigarettes, scratch cards, videos, solvents and lighter fuel.

"It will also go a long way to reducing the supply of alcohol to under-18s.

"The cards will also enable teenagers who are legally entitled to buy such products to prove their age."

Cards will be issued to school leavers next Thursday, from 10am to 4pm, at the Consumer Advice Centre, 1 Victoria Road.

Anyone interested should take a passport-type photograph, with their passport or driving licence containing a photograph.

They will be required to fill in an application form.

Youngsters carrying cards will be eligible for a range of discounts, including money off the cost of using some council leisure facilities and Stagecoach buses.