Complaints over children buying age-restricted items are increasing

It wants young people aged 16 or over to voluntarily carry the cards to help shopkeepers in Slough, Berkshire.

Complaints about children being sold items like cigarettes are increasing, a trading standards spokesman said.

"By adopting a proof of age scheme... shopkeepers will have more confidence to challenge underage people," he said.

Unfortunately many traders are put under a lot of pressure from children who pretend they are old enough and some have reported feeling threatened Cllr Duncan Buchanan

Products with age restrictions include alcohol, cigarettes, fireworks, solvents, some DVDs and videos, aerosol paints, knives, lottery tickets and some computer games.

A spokesperson for Slough Borough Council said: "Statistics gathered in 2002 showed that nationally 18% of young people aged 11 to 15 tried to buy cigarettes from shops and only 23% of those young people found it difficult to do so."

The citizen card would be free to all children aged 16 or over, they said.

Cllr Duncan Buchanan said many shopkeepers found it difficult to refuse children the goods.

"Unfortunately many traders are put under a lot of pressure from children who pretend they are old enough and some have reported feeling threatened," he said.

A decision is due to be taken on the scheme at a council cabinet meeting on 13 June.