A TEENAGE girl was found unconscious at Cwmbran's retail park after a bank holiday drinking binge - and police say she could have died if she had been alone.

The girl, aged 14, collapsed in the retail park on Monday afternoon after a drinking session with friends.

Police were alerted and she was taken to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital. She was later discharged and safely home by 10.30pm.

Cwmbran's crime and disorder reduction officer PC Darrell Dewar told the Argus it could have been much worse.

"This is extremely concerning. If she had been alone, the consequences could have been fatal. As it was, someone had the sense to call us."

It is not known where the girl obtained the alcohol but PC Dewar said off-licence retailers need to be extra vigilant when it comes to young people.

He added: "They must make sure they don't sell alcohol to under 18s and, whenever possible, ensure they are not selling it to someone who is going to give it to under 18s.

"We are in the process of setting up a test-purchasing operation with trading standards officers and those who break the law face prosecution."

Last year Operation Campaign a test purchasing initiative, run jointly by Gwent Police and Torfaen trading standards offices, resulted in six convictions.

Several other people also received cautions for selling alcohol to minors. During the course of the operation 40 per cent of total sales were completed by under-age drinkers.

"People have a moral duty to make sure youngsters don't get their hands on alcohol," said PC Dewar.

The girl was found just outside the new town centre street drinking exclusion zone.

However, PC Dewar said he did not believe the town centre alcohol ban was pushing youngsters out onto the fringes of Cwmbran.

He said: "Drinking has always been an issue on the outskirts of the town, and some of the estates. I would urge parents to be more aware of what their children are getting up to."