BAR staff are being warned they could be hit with £80 fines if they serve drunks or under-age drinkers.

Police have been given new powers to crack down on anti-social behaviour which could also see bars and clubs, which act in an irresponsible manner, being shut down.

A new poster campaign will hammer home the message that both staff and businesses will be punished if they serve under 18 -year-olds or those who have drunk too much.

Cllr John Rothwell, Bolton Council's executive member for community safety and social inclusion, linked under-age drinking to violence in the town centre.

He said: "Licensees in Bolton have worked very closely with the Council and police to tackle the incidents of alcohol-related violence that can cause problems in our town centre.

"Our Evening Economy Manager, along with the police, has worked with them to train door and bar staff in asking for ID, and to refuse entry and service to anyone who is already drunk.

"Many have also worked with us to stop the irresponsible alcohol promotions which can fuel drunk and disorderly or anti-social behaviour."

In a crackdown on under-age drinking over the Easter weekend, trading standards officers worked with two girls, aged 15 and 16, to expose the ease with which youngsters can buy alcohol.

The pair, who clearly looked under-age, walked past bouncers into two of the four bars they tried to enter and bought bottles of WKD alcopops.

Police Chief Superintendent Dave Lea believes the public must also play a role in combating anti-social drinking.

He said: "It's not just licensees who are responsible for making our town safer and promoting sensible drinking.

"Posters will also be displayed locally targeting the public, warning that they could be liable to pay up to £80 for drunk and disorderly or anti-social behaviour.

"By addressing together issues of binge drinking and other irresponsible drinking, we aim to make Bolton a safer place for us all."

Tom Maloney, general manager of Ikon on St George's Road, said his club wanted to play a role in discouraging the binge drinking culture.

He said: "We tell our staff that if there is any doubt in their mind that someone is under-age not to serve them."