EIGHT Bolton town centre licensees have been made to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract after bar staff were caught selling alcohol to underage drinkers.

A further five bars were also caught out in Operation Townsafe, in which Trading Standards officers used two underage girls to go into town centre pubs to buy alcohol on four evenings during the summer.

In total, the 13 bars sold alcohol to the girls, who were aged 15 and 16, a total of 23 times.

Although the licensees have not been prosecuted, police have warned them they risk losing their licences if they are caught again.

The Acceptable Behaviour Contracts tie the eight landlords who have signed them to a code of good behaviour. Police are waiting to meet with the other five. Insp Maria Donaldson, of Bolton police, said: "Anyone who was caught this summer has had their final warning and from now on they will not get a second chance.

"These checks are not targeted at penalising bars and pubs, but rather at making sure the town centre remains a safe place to enjoy a night out.

"A lot of good work has been done by the vast majority of licensees but some are either not clear of the law or are not being careful enough to make sure that it is being applied.

"We have made it clear to each of these bars and pubs that it will be our policy to prosecute from now on. The premises we have spoken to so far have been very receptive."

Licensees at any premises where alcohol is sold to a minor face a maximum £5,000 fine for a first offence and could have their licence revoked if they are caught a second time.

Insp Donaldson said each of the bars made to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contracts would come under greater scrutiny in the future. The contracts are also likely to be a consideration of council licensing committees.

Bolton Town Centre Companys evening economy manager Laura Miseo said: "In the past we have issued advice on how to stop underage sales, but from now the police will prosecute.

"We are now advising all licensees to adopt our Challenge 21 policy, which means that anybody who appears to be under the age of 21 should be asked to prove they are over 18."