BOLTON councillors have been criticised for banning "alcoholic pop" adverts.

Andrew Chevis, director of public affairs at the drinks industry body The Portman Group, wants councillors to "give him a ring" and explain their decision.

He believes that by banning the adverts councillors will be "driving the problem underground."

Members of the council's land sub committee decided to ban adverts for the rapidly growing range of alcoholic soft drinks on council land.

They feared the promotions were encouraging under-age drinking because of their appeal to children.

Bass Brewers, who make the alcoholic lemonade drink Hooper's Hooch, has now agreed to withdraw posters which the Advertising Standards Authority has criticised for its "likely appeal" to under-age drinkers, because of its central character, a cartoon lemon. But Mr Chevis, who says his organisation is trying to promote sensible drinking, believes councillors are wrong to ban the posters. "This seems to me to be a new direction for a council to take, deciding what can or cannot be advertised.

"I think it is a dangerous precedent. It appears to me that the committee has been struck by a bit of political correctness," he said.

Mr Chevis said the way forward was to encourage young people to engage in sensible drinking.

"Even children under the age of 18 should be allowed a drink at home," said Mr Chevis.

"If they are able to have a drink at home, then they won't feel the need to rush out and try it outside of the home. If you stop children from doing something they want to do then they are more likely to try to do it." He said The Portman Group, set up in 1989 by the major UK drinks' companies, was keen to encourage parents and schools to help youngsters understand about alcohol and safe drinking levels.

The group has an identity card scheme which helps the over 18s prove their age when going into pubs or buying alcohol in shops.

The ID scheme also helps landlords and shopkeepers easily identify the age of purchasers.

Anyone, over the age of 18 or approaching 18, interested in obtaining a free card should contact The Portman Group at 2D, Wimpole Street, London W1M 7AA.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.