MORE than a thousand cans and bottles of alcohol were secretly labelled by police in a crackdown on under-age drinkers.

Officers from Blackburn teamed up with trading standards and three off-licences in Mill Hill to launch Operation Bottlewatch.

The move was aimed to combat proxy' sales, where someone over 18 buys alcohol for youngsters. Police also increased patrols the area.

The operation coincided with the end of Operation Summer Nights, a county-wide crackdown on alcohol-related crime and disorder.

Licensing officer PC Andy Duxbury said: "We recognise that young people who are under the influence of alcohol create more problems, are more likely to commit offences and are generally more of a nuisance than those who have not had alcohol.

"Operation Bottlewatch aimed to reduce this problem, not only by clamping down on young people buying alcohol for themselves, but also by targeting proxy' sales."

Youngsters in Mill Hill park were found with 15 cans of lager which were confiscated and disposed of, but none of the marked alcohol was found.

Police also found a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl on the Fernhurst estate with vodka which had come from an off-licence not involved in the operation.

PC Duxbury added: "I hope this sends out a strong message to those who continue to buy alcohol for under-age drinkers that they are acting illegally and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Blackburn with Darwen.

"I encourage licensees and shopkeepers in doubt as to whether someone is over the age of 18, to ask for identification such as a driving licence.

"If that person is over 18, they should understand and will not mind proving so."

He also recommend that staff use the challenge 21' scheme to prevent them being caught out.

If anyone has any information about the selling of alcohol to under-age people, or is concerned about under-age drinking in their community, contact the police on 0845 125 3545 or trading standards on 08454 040506.