MORE than 50 children were handed warnings in a crackdown on underage drinking in the Ribble Valley.

And undercover youngsters were also used in swoops on local retailers to see if they were selling booze to teenagers.

Sergeant Graham Marshall said under-age drinking in the area was a ‘growing concern’.

He said: “It is quite an affluent area which means kids can afford to purchase alcohol.

"We want to stop them from hanging around reacreation grounds as they are vulnerable to crime.”

The patrols, which were carried out between 8pm and 10pm, saw police and council officers targeting young people out late at night who were at risk of becoming victims or involved in crime.

Officers seized twelve bottles of alcohol from youngsters during the oper-ation in Longridge.

And a 15-year-old girl was taken to Willows Children’s Centre, which had been set up as a designated safe place, after she was found in Berry Lane.

Sgt Marshall added: “This was a successful operation which was the first of its kind in the Ribble Valley.

“Communities should be reassured that the police and other agencies are committed to doing all in their power to keep children safe.

“We will continue to carry our similar operations in Longridge and Clitheroe the future.”

Shops in the area were also praised after they refused to sell alcohol to underage drinkers during the test purchasing operation on Friday night.

A 15-year-old test purchaser was sent into 12 off licences across Clitheroe, Longridge, Whalley, Langho and Billington to try and buy alcohol and all refused to sell alcohol to them.

Police have welcomed the result and say the message appears to be getting through.

Neighbourhood Policing Sgt John Lindsey said: “I am very pleased with the results which clearly show that our messages are getting through.

"Underage drinking is something that we take very seriously.”