THE WAR against illegal sales of alcohol and cigarettes to young people in Torfaen has been stepped up by trading standards officers.

Backed by police and health chiefs, they want all youngsters to prove their age before buying drink or tobacco, and they are planning to upgrade their existing Validate ID Card scheme, extending it across the borough's schools.

At the moment only a small number of plastic photo IDs are applied for on a voluntary basis by young people - trading standards want to issue more a durable driving licence-style card to all 16 to 18-year-olds and convince retailers to ask for proof.

Last month the Argus reported how children as young as 12 are abusing solvents and alcohol under a bridge in Pontypool, with both police and local councillors calling on retailers to stop selling alcohol, cigarettes and solvents to youngsters.

Catherine Gregory, of Torfaen Local Health Group, will be working directly with Torfaen council's trading standards department in a bid to revamp the scheme, originally launched in 1998.

She said: "In terms of prevention work around the areas of substance misuse, i.e. tobacco, alcohol and solvents, the group would very much like to support this initiative."

Sergeant Ian McDonald, crime reduction manager at Pontypool police station, added: "Our youth offending team have found that the overwhelming number of youngsters they come into contact with have experimented with tobacco, alcohol or drugs." The improved scheme would see driving licence-style cards bearing the holder's date of birth, date when they are 16, and date when they are 18.