That was the question posed to shocked 87-YEAR-OLD Jack Archer by a checkout girl as he tried to buy a bottle of sherry at his local Morrison's supermarket.

Jack, of Acomb, York, is among many pensioners who have been made to feel 60 years younger by being asked to prove their age at the store. Morrisons staff have been ordered to adopt the hard-line stance after the supermarket was reprimanded for selling booze to an under-18.

A spokeswoman said: "The question is not being asked to cause offence and no disrespect is intended.

"We simply wish to make sure that we satisfy our moral and legal obligations with regard to the sale of alcohol."

18 going on 80

A STUNNED 87-year-old York shopper was asked to prove he was over 18 by a checkout girl before being allowed to buy a bottle of sherry.

Jack Archer, of Acomb, a former Lord Mayor of York, was left shocked - and flattered - by the extraordinary request at Morrison's supermarket, in Acomb.

But he is not the only pensioner to have been made to feel decades younger by being asked for proof of age at the store.

Staff were ordered to adopt the blanket policy after the supermarket was reprimanded for selling booze to an under-18.

"The (checkout) girl said she had to ask how old I was," Jack told The Press.

"I was totally stumped and just said, "I'm over 80 - will that do?"

"I'm a bit wary about telling people my date of birth so I should have pulled out my bus pass.

"I don't blame the individual staff because they are just obeying instructions. I should think they get a few complaints, though.

"I don't think I look my age but they must have known I'm not under 18 - it's just silly."

Audrey Sawyer, of Acomb, who turns 80 next month, said she was also asked for proof of age a few weeks ago when trying to buy a bottle of Cava.

"A young lad at the quick checkout asked me if I was over 18," she said.

"It's just really funny - I was amazed."

Don Parlabean, 70, chairman of York Older People's Assembly, was also asked for identification while trying to buy alcohol at Morrison's.

"I think it's a ridiculous policy," he said.

"Surely the staff can use a bit of common sense? You don't need to ask someone in their 70s and 80s if they are old enough to buy booze.

"When they asked if I was old enough I offered to show them my bus pass!"

A spokeswoman for Morrison's - whose executive chairman, Ken Morrison is 75 - said they implemented the tough "TASK 21 Scheme" at any of their stores which have been reprimanded for selling booze to under-18s.

She said: "Store staff are trained to be highly vigilant in the sale of alcohol and the detection of potential under age purchases."

A Morrison's spokeswoman said: "The question is not being asked to cause offence and no disrespect is intended. We simply wish to make sure that we satisfy our moral and legal obligations with regard to the sale of alcohol.

"As a member of The Retail Alcohol Standards Group (RASG), we take our responsibility with regard to selling alcohol very seriously and have procedures in place designed to ensure that we meet all legal requirements.

"We have also introduced the TASK 21 Scheme which ensures that if we believe a customer wishing to purchase alcohol is under the age of 21, they will be asked to provide recognised proof of age documentation.

"Store staff are trained to be highly vigilant in the sale of alcohol and the detection of potential under age purchases."

The elderly 'victims'

  • MR Archer, 87, of Lindsay Avenue, Acomb, was shocked to be asked if he was over 21 by the checkout girl when trying to buy his bottle of sherry at the supermarket.

"I get the impression that staff are just obeying instructions," he said.

"It's very silly."

  • Audrey Sawyer, 79, of Acomb, was asked if she was over 18 by a staff member when trying to buy a bottle of Cava.

"I looked at him in the face and said, you are joking?' she said.

"I thought he was just having a laugh but he said it was company policy to ask."

  • Don Parlabean, 70, of Acomb, was also recently questioned for proof of age. "I've known people to be really put out by being asked for identification," he said.

"You reach a certain age when it's obvious you are over 21. Surely staff should use a bit of common sense."

  • Frank, 78, of Acomb, and his 78-year-old wife, have been asked for proof of age several times while trying to buy bottles of wine.

"When they asked me for proof of age I took my cap off and asked them to guess!" said Frank, who said he did not want to be named in full.

"I'm as bald as a badger.

"The lasses at the checkout were really polite about it."