Police hope the card will help stop under-age drinkers from being served in licensed premises.

The new cards have a photograph that is scanned onto it, rather than stuck on, to avoid fraud.

Police said young people often try to use driving licences that have been tampered with, so the card will be the only form of ID which will be accepted.

About 10,000 application forms for the cards, which cost �5 each, have been given out in pubs, clubs and at parish halls.

The scheme is being run by the Portman Group - an organisation which advocates responsible drinking - to try and curb the problem of under-age drinking.