A PUB company boss has put the boot into beaurocrats after pubs were forced to lay off under-16s from their kitchens.

Jonathan Barker, operations director at well-known firm Mitchell's of Lancaster, reckons Lancashire County Council has been stupid' in enforcing legislation which could lead to a shortage of chefs in years to come.

Mitchell's founded in Lancaster more than 130 years ago has a long history of employing teenagers in the kitchens of its pubs, hotels and restaurants.

But now Mr Barker says those days will have to end because of new rules.

The Citizen has learned that six teenagers under the age of 16 have been asked to leave one pub alone.

Mr Barker says: "This is an EU directive and the council has been stupid enough to sign up to it. And now, because the local authority wants to toe the line, no-one under 16 can work in the kitchens."

He says it is a shame' because it will hinder kids who traditionally start helping out in the kitchen and work their way up through the ranks to become a chef.

"They are not allowed to handle knives or use graters and so can't do certain tasks. It's all about health and safety which is a load of drivel because the system has been operating for years.

"Most local authorities are ignoring it because it will cause a problem for local businesses."

He goes on: "It is causing a problem for our company because the landlords have had to lose staff and we sympathise with them for that."

Ellie, a 15-year-old former employee at a Mitchell's pub, says: "We were told last Sunday that we would be losing our jobs because of a change in the law. There were six of us in total who lost our jobs because we all waited on, washed up and helped in the kitchen.

Ellie, who has yet to find another part-time job, says: " I have worked at the pub for more than a year and nothing has ever happened to me or any other younger members of staff. I think it is a ludicrous law, which will make it hard for me to get another part-time job."

A spokesman for Lancaster City Council told the Citizen that although children are allowed under UK health and safety law to work if a risk assessment is carried out to detect vulnerability', the Education Welfare Service is concerned.

She says: "It takes a direct interest in children working because of potential interference with schooling requirements.

"The bye law prevents children under the school leaving age working in a commercial kitchen. The county has clarified this and all employers have been contacted. In essence children who have not completed education to the end of Year 11 cannot enter commercial kitchens for purposes of work."

She says the law does not come from the EU but is a clarification of existing requirements.