ADULTS who knowingly buy alcohol for under 18s could face a hefty penalty which is anything but small beer.

For Bury police, who have launched a poster campaign involving all the borough's off-licences, have warned that offenders could face a £1,000 fine.

The clampdown is also aimed at stopping under age teenagers, fuelled by drink bought illegally, from causing damaging crime and disorder.

Now, all off-licences throughout the Bury area will display the posters warning adults not to buy alcohol for those under 18.

PC Ruth Halligan, Bury police divisional licensing officer, explained: "The clampdown is aimed at preventing under age children getting access to alcohol.

"We do know that some youngsters approach adults outside off-licences and get them to buy drink for them." She admits that, in these cases, it is difficult for licensees. "Some premises are more vulnerable than others."

The poster campaign has been launched to co-incide with new laws aimed at tackling the problem of under age drinking.

PC Halligan disclosed: "In March, legislation came into force that gave us the powers to prosecute adults over 18 who actually buy alcohol for the under 18s.

"It is difficult for those who operate off-licences to challenge people aged in their 20s or 30s who come in. That's one of the reasons why we've designed the posters which are being distributed."

Commenting on the aims of the campaign, PC Halligan went on: "We want to tell people that the price of a bottle of beer could be £1,000. That's the fine adults could face if they buy alcohol for the under 18s.

"We are now trying to educate the public and to draw attention to the problems that drunken kids can cause."

She continued: "We're saying to people, look it's down to you now, not the licensees, as there are immense problems involving youths buying alcohol and causing trouble."

Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood, Bury police divisional commander, said: "While many people drink responsibly, alcohol also causes huge amounts of crime and disorder.

"Off-licences have a duty to their communities. We have worked with them to produce these posters which tell their customers quite clearly what is against the law."

The launch of the campaign took place at the Radcliffe branch of the Bargain Booze off-licence which also has outlets in Bury, Ramsbottom and Tottington.