PUB landlords face fines and losing their licence if they are caught selling alcohol to underage drinkers, police warned yesterday.

A major covert operation is being run across Ryedale with the aim of cracking down on pubs serving drinks to underage customers.

The campaign comes as many towns and villages regularly experience drunken teenagers misbehaving and causing damage.

Now police in Ryedale have joined forces with North Yorkshire trading standards to send underage teenagers into pubs to attempt to buy alcohol.

If caught serving to a person under 18, landlords face an £80 on-the-spot fine - but more significantly, the pub's licence could be called in by the licensing authorities.

Police feel a clampdown on underage drinking will help to curb alcohol-related violence.

Inspector Neil Burnett, of Malton police, urged landlords last night: "Please be vigilant about who you serve.

"There is no excuse for serving underage people with drink because of the high-profile campaign to carry identity cards, and for landlords and bar staff to ask to see them."

He added: "We are protecting the landlords and bar staff by the initiative, as well as helping to combat drink-related incidents which can occur later in the streets."

Insp Burnett said they and trading standards officials were working closely with the licensing trade - which was equally keen to stamp out the problem.

Youngsters are sent into pubs outside of their home area to prevent landlords from recognising them.

And they are supported in the pubs by undercover police officers who can issue the fines.

Local councils have been given new powers to tackle the growing problem of underage drinking.

And they are not afraid to use them by issuing the £80 fines and taking away licences to combat the menace, said Insp Burnett.

Initially, the operation has targeted pubs in the Malton area and landlords were later praised after none served undercover teenagers.

But landlords across Ryedale have been warned to be vigilant as checks continue to be carried out.

And it is likely the covert operation could be expanded across the whole of North Yorkshire.