POLICE are congratulating off-licences after only six out of 163 contravened underage drinking laws.

As part of a recent operation by Durham police, 24 young people aged from 12 to 14 visited all of Chester-le-Street and Durham's 163 off-licences under the supervision of officers.

They tried to buy alcohol, including beer and cider, but only six premises allowed them to buy the drinks.

Four of the guilty outlets were in the Durham area and two in Chester-le-Street, including one which made sales on two occasions.

All six licensees whose staff failed to observe the regulations will be given a verbal warning, and their premises will be monitored in future, with further test purchases being carried out if necessary.

At this stage, no prosecutions are being brought.

The operation, which lasted four weeks starting in mid-December, was run by PCs Joe French and Graham Ling.

PC French said: "The vast majority of off-licences in the area are correctly managed and run well but, all the same, we were pleasantly surprised by the results.

"On most occasions, when drink was sold, it was due more to inattention on the part of staff than a deliberate breaking of the law.

"However, underage drinking is a long-standing and regular source of complaints from local people, and it is an issue we continue to take very seriously."