MORE than a third of 14-year-olds in Ribble Valley get regularly drunk, a shock survey has revealed.

And almost twice as many girls as boys were under-age boozers, according to the survey of almost 400 students at three Ribble Valley high Schools.

The study also found 89 per cent of those who answered said they had been able to buy booze themselves.

The questionnaire, by crime- fighting charity Crimestoppers, found 41 per cent of those quizzed regularly drink alcohol.

Of this figure, 65 per cent were girls and 35per cent were boys.

Bill Alker, co-ordinator of The Ribble Valley Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, said: "We're very much aware of a developing problem in Clitheroe, mirroring a national trend, with youngsters drinking more alcohol and obtaining it illegally from a number of different sources.

"Whilst there's work being undertaken to educate young people about the problems associated with drink, the police need to move against the local suppliers, whether legal or illegal.

"We're hoping that Crimestoppers, through its anonymous telephone hotline, can help in this by gathering the local intelligence needed to target enforcement activities."

The survey found while 59 per cent thought it was wrong for places to sell alcohol to under-age children, only 21 per cent said they would tell Crimestoppers about off-licenses which break the law.

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.