Young drinkers may be challenged to prove their age

Challenge 21 is part of a campaign by police in Stroud, aimed at cutting down underage drinking.

Customers with a "youthful appearance" will be asked to produce an acceptable form of identification before they can be served alcohol.

Liquor licensing officer Pc John Breakwell says it follows public concerns about drunken behaviour.

Fake IDs

"The scheme is aimed at those underage drinkers who try and consume alcohol on licensed premises, often by using fake identification," he said.

"If it proves a success we will be looking to introduce it to other areas of the Cotswolds and Stroud division."

Challenge 21 is being supported by all Stroud publicans who belong to the town's Behave or Be Banned scheme (BOBs).

Under BOBs' rules, any person who has caused problems on licensed premises within the scheme can be barred from all other participating premises for up to a year.

Spokesman Ian Morrison, landlord of The Retreat pub, said, "Challenge 21 is a further incentive to make Stroud a safer place for the majority of the drinking public."