EASY access to alcohol causes mental and physical problems for youngsters, research has revealed.

The Alcoholic Education and Research Council has called for the drinks industry to redouble its efforts to curb illegal sales in a bid to stop problems caused by drinking in the young.

The watchdog found that 16-year-old boys and girls, and girls as young as 13, had little difficulty in buying alcohol and that retailers were reluctant to request proof of age.

Mike Stevens, chairman of the Worcestershire Licensed Victuallers Association, acknowledged under-age drinking was a problem for Worcester pubs but "no more than anywhere else".

"I think there is a problem but more in off-trade than on-trade," he said.

"But we're not complacent. We realise under-age drinkers do get in and we continually take steps to prevent that happening.

"Most people would accept there is a bigger problem from supermarkets and off-licences where alcohol can be purchased and handed over to someone outside the premises."

Worcester police are also aware of alcohol problems and are working to tackle alcohol-related crime.

"Alcohol affects people in different ways," said Sgt Chris Allen.

"It can make people become aggressive and violent towards other people as well as to property.

"Another sometimes forgotten alcohol-related crime is drink-driving - a crime that sadly can often have fatal consequences.

"Whatever the cause of crime we deal with the outcome.

"We also work in partnership with many agencies from the local authorities and health service including those directly involved with alcohol-related health issues as well as the licensees specifically to reduce the likelihood of all types of crime precipitated by alcohol."