MORE than 40 per cent of off-licences in Hampshire sold alcohol to under-18s, an alarming survey revealed.

The county's trading standards team enlisted the help of under-age volunteers who were taken to outlets to try to buy booze.

Just under 60 shops were visited, with 24 of them agreeing to hand over

alcohol.

County council chiefs branded the results "alarming" and warned under-age drinking contributed to antisocial behaviour.

Many of the premises had even been warned to expect a test purchase by trading standards ahead of the operation as officers had received reports about under-age sales there.

Retailers face fines of up to £1,000 if convicted of the offence.

Councillor Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "The test purchases carried out by trading standards have shown an alarming failure rate.

"There is no excuse for selling alcohol to under 18-year-olds, and if anyone suspects a shop is doing so they should contact trading standards.

"Young people who have been drinking alcohol can cause numerous antisocialproblems for the local community, such as broken bottles, causing a disturbance, vandalism and a sense of fear and intimidation where large groups congregate."

Trading standards bosses are sending information packs to scores of retailers to remind them of the laws.

They said anyone under the age of 21 should be asked to provide proof of age when buying alcohol.

The survey took place over the past 12 months.

Cllr Thornber said: "We do, however, believe that the message of 'No ID, no sale' is beginning to get across in Hampshire, and hope to see a reduction of illegal sales made in the next round of test purchases we do."

Police are being encouraged by the Home Office to carry out test purchases themselves in the coming months to clamp down on under-age drinking in pubs.