BURNLEY has played a leading part in a national police blitz on alcohol-fuelled violence, it was revealed today.

The town centre was part of a pilot scheme carried out as part of a Home Office summer campaign to crack down on violent boozers. Police and Trading Standards officers carried out sting operations against licensed premises, targeted troublemakers, and confiscated alcohol from juveniles throughout July and August.

Burnley was one of only two other Lancashire areas to take part in the pilot which included Preston and Blackpool.

And because of its success it will now be repeated at regular intervals over the coming months.

Chief Inspector Jon Donnelly, Licensing Reform Co-ordinator, said: "The Constabulary's contribution to this campaign is clear. Three areas in the county took part - Burnley, Preston, and Blackpool - yet our figures make up some 23 per cent of the total national figure in relation to on-licence sting operations.

"The campaign demonstrates that we are using our powers to tackle the problem of alcohol-related disorder and that we are willing to act robustly in an effort to reclaim the streets of our towns for decent, law-abiding members of the public.They want to be able to go out and enjoy themselves without worrying about having their night marred by the drunken behaviour of others."

In Burnley, 489 licensed premises were visited with 50 per cent of them serving to under age drinkers.

Police and trading standards targeted 192 off-licences and found 45 per cent of them selling to under 18s. Nearly a quarter of all visits resulted in someone being fined.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "The figures show that a co-ordinated blitz delivers real results. They are a credit to the police forces and their partners -- this extra effort over the summer has made significant progress in tackling underage and binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled disorder."

The extension of fixed penalty notices to target people involved in selling or buying alcohol for under 18s was passed by Parliament this week and will come into force in November.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, who is overhauling outdated licensing laws, said: "The Home Secretary and I are determined to root out those pubs, bars, and shops which are selling alcohol illegally to children.

"One key change will be the increase in maximum fines from £1,000 to £5,000 for anyone caught selling alcohol to under 18s."