PUB landlords, nightclub owners and restaurateurs are being asked for their views on barring anyone under 18 from licensed premises in a bid to crack down on under-age drinking.

Members of Eden District Council's licensing sub-committee heard that concerns had been raised about the minimum age of people allowed into pubs, clubs and restaurants which have public entertainment licences enabling them to host live music and performers.

The present rules state that:

l Children under six are not allowed on licensed premises unless they are with a parent or adult guardian.

l Children of compulsory school age are not allowed on licensed premises after 9pm unless they are with a parent or adult guardian.

If the suggested change went ahead, nobody under 18 would be allowed on licensed premises.

"It is envisaged that by increasing the minimum age to 18, it could have a positive effect in the reduction of under-age drinking and subsequently its associated problems," said chief executive Ian Bruce in his report.

After the meeting, district solicitor Cath Whitehead told the Gazette: "Members discussed how they would ensure that those families who wanted to attend pubs and take their children with them weren't prevented from doing so by a provision designed to stop children attending pubs and clubs in the evening."

She added: " It's difficult for the nightclubs and pubs to prevent young people from drinking - for instance, if somebody else buys them a drink.

They can attend legitimately at a young age as long as they don't purchase alcohol.

When you're in a busy pub late at night it's difficult to see who the drinks are being bought for and to make the appropriate checks, so raising the age limit would make it easier to enforce the provisions."

Letters have been posted to pubs, clubs and restaurants with public entertainment licences across Eden, and they have until April 19 to make comments.

Another report will be presented to councillors after that deadline.