Retailers can be fined for selling alcohol to minors

The figures came from a survey of nearly 13,000 teenagers across the north-west of England about underage drinking habits.

As a result, a two-month enforcement crackdown on the problem in the county started on Tuesday.

The campaign is being run by Cumbria Police and Cumbria County Council's trading standards department.

Results for Cumbria showed 61% of under 18s drink alcohol at least once a week, 23% once to twice a month, 11% once every two to 12 months and only 5% never drink alcohol.

Anti-social behaviour

Head of trading standards Phil Ashcroft said: "Local youngsters are being put at risk by alcohol abuse.

"Drinking often causes young people to get involved in anti-social behaviour which plagues decent, hard-working families.

"Trading standards and the police will clamp down hard on anyone caught selling alcohol to under 18s."

Retailers can be fined up to �1,000 if they are caught selling alcohol to minors and risk having their licence revoked.

Young people caught drinking alcohol can be issued with a �50 fixed fine.

The research was commissioned by the North West Trading Standards Network to help local authorities understand the scale of drinking in their areas.