POLICE chiefs have pledged to crack down on off-licences in areas of Bolton where the lives of residents are being blighted by underage drunks.

Shop owners found selling alcohol to children already face court fines of up to £1,000.

But police chiefs have revealed that a summer-long campaign preventing booze being sold to youngsters in Bolton's pubs and clubs has been successful.

Fugures reveal that licensees in Bolton sold alcohol to children less often than their counterparts in other parts of Greater Manchester.

Officers worked closely with Trading Standards officials and trained, under-age youngsters posing as drinkers visited 29 pubs and clubs across the town during the two-month operation.

Four out of eight pubs and bars were found selling to children as young as 15, and six out of the 21 off-licences broke rules that alcohol can only be sold to those who are 18 and older.

But the figures of 50 per cent of bars and pubs and 29 per cent of off-licenses breaking the law is way below the Greater Manchester averages of 82 per cent and 43 per cent respectively.

Supt Alan Greene, of Bolton Police, said: "By and large, we're fairly satisfied that landlords in pubs are getting the message that selling alcohol to anyone under age will not be tolerated.

"That's down to the work that has been done by officers in the town, particularly as part of Operation Townsafe where we have visited licensed premises with video equipment and warned licensees of their responsibilities."

"Our main concern centres around off-licences and we will continue to target those in areas where youths have caused a nuisance."

As part of Operation Townsafe, officers also confiscated alcohol from 58 under-18s and from two adults and made a total of 45 arrests for alcohol-related crimes.

A national survey of licensed premises by the Home Office saw a total of 132 bars, pubs and off-licenses checked across Greater Manchester in a two-month blitz on underage drinking.

Bosses at any of the premises which has been involved in more than one incident will receive a letter from Home Secretary David Blunkett, who today hinted at tougher penalties for offenders.

Anyone caught selling alcohol to youngsters currently faces a £1,000 fine and anyone caught re-offending could lose their licence.

John Jewitt, secretary of Bolton Licensees Alliance, said: "Hopefully this will act as a warning to landlords.

"I certainly welcome the approach of the police. Their presence alone discourages from serving to people who are underage and people who are drunk."