LICENSEES who serve booze to under-aged drinkers have been given a stern warning by the chairman of Severnminster's licensing bench.

Ian Latimer told both pub landlords and those running off-licences they were putting their licences at risk by selling alcohol to youngsters.

Speaking at what could be the last annual Brewster session hearing because of impending licensing reform, he said there was clearly a grapevine operating to alert youngsters to where they could get served.

"Under-age drinking is a problem that concerns this committee. It is becoming clear that young people who are determined to get access to alcohol will travel long distances to premises where it is known to be readily available.

"These premises tend to be small and are frequently off-licences where staffing and supervision are minimal. It is known that a well-established grapevine of information exists to enable young people to move between these premises effectively and so increased vigilance is essential," he said.

He reminded those with on and off-licences that it was their duty to ensure staff were trained properly and were able to verify the age of customers. They should refuse service if necessary, he said.

Mr Latimer said there was also concern about after-hours drinking in some pubs and again licences were being put at risk.

On a different note he warned licensees against making last-minute applications for special orders of exemption enabling them to extend hours for functions.

"These functions are often being held on the same day as the application and it is difficult to believe that licensees have not sufficient notice prior to the event. It could cause applications to be refused," he said.

*Licensing reform proposals currently before the Government would transfer licensing matters from magistrates to councils. It is unclear, though, when this will take place.

*The committee revoked the licences of two pubs currently closed - the Tontine Hotel at Stourport and the Unicorn in Kidderminster's Broad Street.