UNDERAGE drinkers are still managing to buy alcohol according to new figures released from a campaign.

The police and Trading Standards officers started checking pubs, clubs and off-licences from March this year. In 21 cases there were six illegal sales in Buckinghamshire.

Shop assistants caught selling alcohol to under 18-year-olds were either cautioned or fined £80 by the police.

The figures for the districts showed Aylesbury Vale with one sale from five tests; High Wycombe had no sales from two tests; Chiltern had four from nine tests; and South Bucks had one sale from five tests.

The drinking crackdown is part of a year-long campaign aimed at discouraging underage and binge drinking.

Inspector John Fox said: "Just 17% of those premises we visited failed to make the necessary age checks.

"That figure highlights the improvements made in the industry in recent years as a result of the ongoing efforts of all involved.

"But it also shows we have more work to do, and we already feel this year-long campaign is helping to make good practice more widespread.

"It is enabling us to identify those who are continuing to flout the rules, educate them, and, if necessary, take strong steps to prevent them selling alcohol to the wrong people again."

The campaign runs until March.