AN innovative method of curbing underage drinking in a Teesdale village has seen a drastic reduction in the number of anti-social behaviour complaints.

Police in Evenwood have taken to marking bottles and cans in the village's off-licences with invisible ink.

Each off-licence has an individual mark only visible when an ultra-violet light is shone on it.

It is hoped this new method can be used to prevent adults buying alcohol for minors.

The idea is the brainchild of Evenwood beat officer PC Andy Currie.

PC Currie said: "The problem we were having is that obviously the local shops were refusing to sell to underage drinkers, but local youths were getting people aged 18 or 19 to buy alcohol for them.

"We carry little UV pen torches so if we come across a stash of empty tins where young drinkers congregate we know who sold it.

"We can then go back to the shopkeepers who can tell us who they sold it to and then we can go and have a word with them."

It is hoped a similar scheme can be rolled out to West Auckland and Cockton Hill.

The markings are part of a wider operation in the village to crack down on underage drinking, which has included shutting drinking dens.

The move has been so successful that it is now almost impossible for young people to get alcohol in the village.

PC Currie said: "I wouldn't say we've stopped it 100 per cent, but we're maybe talking 80 per cent.

"We're not getting complacent, but going by the number of calls we've had from members of the public, we haven't had any problems at the moment and it seems to be having some sort of effect.

"The shop keepers have been behind this all the way, so they've got to be thanked."