PROOF-of-age cards are being issued to Stockton teenagers over 16.

The cards, which are free, are being issued by Stockton trading standards at Stockton Central Library, tomorrow, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

There are various discounts for cardholders, including a third off Stagecoach bus travel.

Other retailers who have offered incentives include The Tall Trees at Yarm, Asda, Middlesbrough FC and the Wesley Nightclub in Hartlepool.

The scheme is being promoted by a partnership of the four Teesside training standards authorities and Tees Health Authority.

It is hoped schools and colleges will be issuing cards from the start of the new term in September.

David Kitching, Stockton Borough Council's trading standards unit manager, said: "By adopting this scheme retailers can ensure illegal sales of products such as cigarettes and alcohol are not made to youngsters who are not entitled to buy them."

For a card, teenagers must provide two passport-sized photographs, together with a passport or new driving licence.