A MOTHER has told how her son nearly lost his life after drinking a bottle and a half of vodka handed to him in the street by an adult.

The teenager drank the spirit before collapsing in a field near South Stanley.

Chief Inspector Bob Glass, of Derwentside police, has called for the law to be changed.

In his annual licensing report, Chief Insp Glass said that police in the Consett and Stanley area have successfully cracked down on underage drinking, but said the problem of youngsters persuading adults to buy alcohol on their behalf is growing.

He said: "Legislation is needed to tighten up this anomaly and this area is included in the Government White Paper, Time for Reform."

The mother said she spent last weekend at her son's bedside in Dryburn Hospital, Durham City.

She said he and a group of his friends had asked a man to buy them two bottles of vodka in Stanley town centre.

After the boy drank the vodka, he collapsed in a muddy field. His friends took turns to lie with him, holding his face so he could breath.

She said: "By the time the ambulance arrived he was hypothermic, convulsing and vomiting. My son almost died that night.

"I hope the man who purchased the vodka feels some remorse for his illegal act.

"I wonder how he would feel if he had watched his son convulse and choke.

"I would ask anyone out there, even if they allow their own children to drink alcohol, please, do not buy drink for other people's children."