UNDERCOVER teenagers were sent into branches of bookmakers William Hill in Bolton as part of a drive to protect young people from the potential harmful effects of gambling.

Results showed that they were challenged for ID on 95.4 per cent of visits to the bookmakers’ 10 outlets in the borough.

The operation was carried out by independent auditors Serve Legal.

Nationally, William Hill checks stood at 86 per cent compared to 85 per cent in supermarkets and on garage forecourts, and 82 per cent in convenience stores and the bookmaking sector in general.

The Bolton branches employ 60 people, and William Hill spokesman Andrew Lyman said: “We are delighted by the latest findings, but will not be sitting back and resting on our laurels.

“The staff in Bolton are doing a very effective job in identifying possible underage visitors to our shops.

“We operate a ‘Think 21’ policy which means that a challenge should be made to any individual who, on any objective view, appears to be 21 or younger.

"Individuals are required to produce a valid photo ID as proof of age.

“Failing to operate ‘Think 21’ is considered to be an act of gross misconduct and, absent of any mitigating factors, we do, sadly, dismiss colleagues who do not perform well.”

William Hill and other bookmakers have been praised by Serve Legal for their efforts in preventing underage gambling by adopting the Think 21 policy.

Matt Eastwood, commercial manager at London-based Serve Legal, said: ‘Nationwide, William Hill is now on a par with supermarkets and con-venience stores who have traditionally been the highest performing sector from facing checks from trading standards and police.

“The bookmaking sector has raised the bar significantly and improved performance in the past five years.

“In 2009 it was 50 per cent ID check rate and now they are in the mid 80s.”

Serve Legal carries out 90,000 independent shop visits a year and covers the entire retail sector on the subject of ID compliance and age testing.

The company employs youngsters aged 18 and 19 to carry out the checks.

The legal age for gambling is 18.