THIS is the staggering haul of alcohol seized from underage drinkers in the Eastleigh area.

Police recovered the drink - predominantly bottles and cans of lager, and alcopops - over the past two months.

Now they have taken the unusual step of displaying the booze, as they vow to get tough on the binge-drinking craze taking hold among the borough's under-18s.

Patrolling police officers confiscated the drink as they made their way around the town's roads.

Some youngsters were caught red-handed and the alcohol was poured away in front of them.

An Eastleigh police spokesman said: "The actual problem is a lot worse than is shown here."

The liquor was taken from hot spots targeted by police in Eastleigh town centre, Boyatt Wood, Chandler's Ford, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak.

Recreation grounds and shopping parades have become magnets for rowdy gatherings of boozed-up youngsters.

This police line-up of seized alcohol, which includes mainly cans of lager and some spirits, comes just days after the Daily Echo reported how a gang of up to 80 drink-fuelled yobs had been congregating on Friday nights at a green in Bishopstoke.

Police are already taking steps to break up the gatherings at Alan Drayton Way, between Bracken Crescent and Otter Close.

An Eastleigh police spokesman said the biggest concern of residents, expressed in public forums across the borough, was antisocial behaviour triggered by alcohol.

PC Nick Russell, an Eastleigh beat officer, said: "The problem of underage drinking has been increasing and what is concerning is that the drinkers are getting younger."

He added: "Parents need to be aware of what their children are getting up to in their leisure time and if they come home smelling of drink they should question them."

Corner shops and supermarkets should also be on the alert for underage drinkers attempting to buy alcohol, he said.