SOCIAL Services chiefs in Bolton fear they are losing the battle to protect children against the dangers of drink and drugs.

The sale of alcopop drinks is making it easier for youngsters to buy alcohol.

And schools are reporting an increasing number of PARENTS who are turning up under the influence of drugs.

Now they are set to make tackling both of these problems their top priorities.

Councillors hit out at the sale of alcopops at a meeting of Bolton's social services committee.

They said that they lure children into drinking because:

They taste like pop;

Some shops are selling them at less than 50p a bottle;

They are being put on shelves alongside soft drinks;

Powder kits are available to make the drinks which do not need to be sold on licensed premises.

Labour Cllr Don Eastwood, who is also chairman of Bolton's education and arts committee, said: "We must do more to tackle both of these problems.

"The drug problem is getting very difficult. We are now getting to the stage where we have parents under the influence of drugs.

"If this is not bad enough, we are now trying to stop young people drinking when these alcopops are so easily available.

"I cannot understand how ordinary people are selling them in their shops without thinking about the fact that they are encouraging youngsters to start drinking at an earlier age.

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