SIX youths under the age of 17 were among about 500 people prosecuted by Bolton police in the past year for drink driving.

The shock statistic was revealed by the head of Bolton Police, Chief Superintendent John Bartlett at the annual Licensing Magistrates' meeting.

Mr Bartlett described the figure as "very disturbing".

The statistics were announced as the licensing bench announced new moves to tighten controls over all licensed premises in Bolton.

Anyone wanting to open new premises in future will have to meet tough new conditions - including adequate facilities for the disabled.

Chairman Mr David Vause said each licensed building in Bolton would be inspected at least once every three years.

But he added: "The purpose of the inspections is not to take licensees by surprise or cause them any difficulty but it is perceived to be an additional means of achieving a general overall improvement in standards."

On the subject of policy changes in dealing with new Justices Licences and altering existing ones, Mr Vause said that in future relevant planning permission must be granted before applications are dealt with.

He also said that in future toilet accommodation in licensed premises must also include adequate facilities for the disabled.

As well as the six under-17s caught drink driving, 14 drivers over 60 years were among those convicted of breathalyser offences at Bolton.

The other 491 arrests for drink driving were in the 30-59 years age group.

Mr Vause described the figures as disappointing and added: "One wonders what more need be done before drivers realise that drinking is not worth risking."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.