TOUGH new measures could see landlords forced to shut if they sell alcohol to under-age drinkers.

The Government is reported to be considering bringing in tough new rules to clamp down on landlords selling pints to under-age drinkers - which would give York trading standards bosses even more firepower to tackle the problem.

Under the proposals, any pub selling booze to under-18s more than twice in a three-month period would be forced to shut.

If landlords and owners admit their guilt and pledge to reform, they could reopen after 48 hours - but if they protest, they are likely to face a court hearing, could be put out of business for three months and may be rapped with a fine of up to £10,000.

If the proposals are brought in, it would be the first time that owners and breweries could be targeted as well as licensees.

The new stance was set to have been unveiled to the trade at a Whitehall meeting yesterday. Ministers are said to want the pub trade to follow supermarkets, who routinely ask anyone who they feel looked 21 or under to show identification before being served.

City of York Council already clamps down on pubs, clubs and restaurants that are caught breaking the law.

A council spokeswoman said: "City of York Council is continuing to clamp down on illegal sales of alcohol to children. In the run-up to Christmas, the council's trading standards service and North Yorkshire Police made 159 visits to licensed premises with 15 and 16 year olds who attempted to buy alcohol. There are plans to repeat the test purchasing exercise throughout the spring and summer.

"The trading standards service found that only 14 per cent of places visited served the youngsters, but we want to see this figure reduced even further.

"Our advice to traders is to ask for proof of age from anyone who appears to be under the age of 21, as this gives the seller some room for an error of judgement. We also ask anybody who appears to be under 21 to take some proof of age out with them as they should expect to be asked. The consequences of serving people under-age can be extremely severe."

The Press reported recently how the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC), run by police and trading standards, had been launched to tackle alcohol-related crime this summer.

It includes trading standards and licensing officers taking action against shops, stores, pubs and clubs selling alcohol to under-18s, as well as bars and clubs caught actively promoting excessive drinking.

Updated: 10:30 Tuesday, May 16, 2006