Teenagers must be 18 to buy alcohol

The cards will be available to all 16, 17 and 18-year-olds from next month.

"The aim of this scheme is to reduce the number of sales of restricted products to underage children including alcohol, cigarettes,...knives, fireworks and solvents," said PC Vanessa Griffiths from North Wales Police.

The force hope tackling the sale of alcohol to underage youngsters will result in a fall in numbers charged with anti-social behaviour.

"We know there is a link between alcohol consumption by young people and anti-social behaviour as well as criminal activity," said PC Griffiths.

Retailers response

"By taking alcohol out of the equation we will have a real opportunity to reduce anti-social behaviour which is one of the biggest sources of complaints to police."

Lorraine Allen from Flintshire Trading Standards said the scheme had been given a warm response by retailers.

"Many retailers have commented that it is sometimes difficult to determine the age of young people seeking to purchase these products," she said.

"The police along with other partners have developed this scheme to assist the traders and licensees in ensuring that they comply with the law."

The police led scheme also involves Flintshire Trading Standards and the local education authority.