PUB licensees and police will be clamping down on underage drinking in Newport with a new wrist band scheme.

Revellers who prove they are 18 or over at a pub or club will be given a band that acts as proof of age in all other licensed premises in the city centre.

Police say the scheme will deter underage drinkers and cut late-night anti-social behaviour and other offending at the weekends.

Door staff will be asking anyone appearing to be under 21 for proof of age before handing out the wristbands.

The scheme will run for the weekend beginning November 5 and may be continued in the future if it proves successful.

PC Debra White, from Newport Central police, said: "The aim of the campaign is to make our city centre a safer place where people can enjoy themselves.

"The coloured wristbands will be attached by door staff on confirmation of age.

"The wristbands can then be shown at participating venues to allow quicker entry."

Mickey Mackensie, chairwoman of Pubwatch and manager of Breeze bar in Cambrian Road welcomed the scheme.

She said: "All the members of the Pubwatch scheme are working together with the police and the council to curb underage drinking.

"We welcome anything that helps us achieve that. However even if they are wearing a wristband, but we feel they look underage we will still be asking them for identification."

PC White said only official documentation like a picture driving licence or passport would be acceptable for proof of age during the weekend of the operation.

She said police in Derbyshire Police piloted the scheme where it helped reduce crime by 50 per cent.

PC White said the scheme was there to tackle the problem of binge drinking and to protect under 18s who often became the victims of crime during nights out.

The wristbands cannot be taken off without damaging them so they cannot be passed from one person to another.

The scheme is part of Operation Safer City, which aims to cut anti-social behaviour and other crime in Newport.