PARENTS have been urged not to panic after the BEN revealed high levels of illegal under-age street drinking in Bolton.

Experts working with teenagers suffering drink problems claim that most children who get drunk only do it as a one-off experiment and do not become addicted to booze.

And leaders at Bolton-based Project 360 -- a help group for under 18s with drink and drug problems -- assured parents of young drinkers that help was at hand, both for them and their children.

Project 360, based at the BASE Centre in Marsden Road, was set up last year to provide advice and counselling for under 18s suffering with alcohol and drug problems.

About 170 youngsters with dependency problems have contacted them and received help since the project's formation.

Project 360 team leader Shirley Wheeler spoke after the BEN told how police patrols confiscated 40 gallons of alcohol from under-age street drinkers across Astley Bridge in just three weekends since March 1.

Codenamed Operation Classify, Bolton's biggest ever crackdown on youth crime, police said they have confiscated between 10 to 15 gallons of booze from youngsters every Friday and Saturday night.

Mrs Wheeler said many youngsters drank alcohol on a part-time basis simply to experiment.

She said the average age of youngsters with dependency problems who pass through the centre is 15.

Mrs Wheeler said: "We are very different from the adult service as our primary focus is on young people.

"Taking it into context, most of the use of alcohol is one-off, an experiment. It is constantly changing and is not usually on an ongoing basis, although the research does suggest that under age drinking is rising.

"Forty gallons does seem like a lot. Alcohol is so freely available and it is so cheap that children can afford to buy it. But the advice we give depends on the individuals.

"If parents had concerns then we would offer advice but if it was a real long-term problem the work we would supply would be complex and long-term."

Project 360 is funded jointly by Bolton Council, the Health Authority and the Youth Justice Board.

Parents can refer their children to the group. Trained staff offer advice and support in all aspects of their life including social and psychological to the youngsters after an initial assessment.

Screening

Doctors are also available for health screening tests.

Counselling and information are also supplied and the youngsters could eventually be referred to specialist clinics for treatment.

Mrs Wheeler added: "My message to parents would be try not to panic and try to talk and listen to the young people. There is help available and it does not mean that the youngsters are going to have a long-term problem."

For further information, contact Project 360 on 01204 454 959.