AN off-licence is taking a tough stance against under-age drinkers, by barring them from the premises.

Bells Stores, in White Hart Crescent, Red Hall, Darlington, is also banning anyone who is known to buy alcohol at the store and pass it on to youngsters.

Shop staff are also uncompromising about the gangs of youths hanging around the shop and have installed closed circuit television cameras.

Manager Nikki Rek believes the tough company policy is why they have very little anti-social behaviour at the shop.

She said: "We have a lot of customers barred at the minute, as we will not tolerate under-age people purchasing alcohol, or anyone passing it to them.

"Before I came to this store, I ran an off-licence for years, so I know the importance of standing up to the problem. The Bells Stores policy really makes a difference."

The store employs numerous strategies to beat underage drinkers, she said.

"We have a log to record any incident and we work closely with PC Jonathan Stoker, our community policeman," she said.

"The relationship we have with our beat bobby really helps. If we have gangs standing outside, they will be told to move on, or we will contact the police.

"There is a security team at head office who carry out spot-check, in-house test purchases, which regularly check our standards.

"A lot of the girls who work in here are from the estate, so they know the majority of the customers who come through the door. It's quite easy for them to spot someone they know to be under-age."

Ms Rek said she would recommend the a tough stance to other premises.

"It's definitely something I would recommend," she said. "We have always been very tough on under-age drinking, and have very few problems because of it.

"We want people to know that we do not condone under-age drinking in any way."

Community Inspector Sue Collingwood, of Durham police, said she was very pleased with the store's policy.

"PC Stoker is an extremely dedicated officer, and has very good links with the whole community there.

"We are very pleased indeed that the store think he is helping in their determined efforts to combat under-age drinking."