AGE Check, St Helens Council's proof-of-age scheme has been extended to a second high school in the borough.

Sixteen-year-olds at Newton-le -Willows High were given the chance to snap up Proof of Age cards, following in the footsteps of pupils at St Cuthberts RC High School.

Orignially launched at Saints, Age Check aims to stamp out the sale of age-restricted products such as cigarettes and solvents.

Trading Standards officers first targeted retailers to point out what they should do to ensure that potentially-dangerous products are not sold to youngsters.

Supplied by Validate UK, the Proof of Age cards contain the youngsters' photographs and date of birth.

All those applying for them qualify for a free match ticket from Saints and a leisure package from the council's Recreation Service. Discussions to introduce more benefits and discounts are currently under way.