OFF-licences, pubs and clubs are to get a festive visit from the police - to make sure they are not selling booze to under-age youngsters.

Police staged a similar successful clampdown in the summer.

The aim of the campaign, called Know Your Limit, is to cut rowdy behaviour.

Assistant Chief Constable David Crompton said: "What we are saying is enjoy Christmas, have a drink if you want, but drink sensibly. We are not out to stop anyone having a social drink."

He added: "We will also deal with anyone who has clearly drunk to excess. Nobody likes people who are drunk and abusive ."

During the six-week summer alcohol enforcement campaign police visited 365 pubs and clubs and 217 off-licences.

They also issued 273 fixed penalty notices, mainly for drunken behaviour.

The campaign is part of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy launched by the Prime Minister in March to tackle alcohol-related disorder.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said:

"We know the summer blitz worked.

"The levels of serious violence decreased in the 92 policing areas that took part and many in the alcohol industry were prompted to act more responsibly.

"But we are not complacent, we know there are still widespread and serious problems. That is why even more police forces and their local partners will be taking part in the second phase of the campaign, focusing on tackling underage drinking and on ensuring that town centres are not turned into no go zones on Friday and Saturday nights.

"We have given the police more tools to do this - since the summer, on the spot fines for buying or selling alcohol to under-18s have been introduced and the penalty for drunk and disorderly behaviour has been increased from £50 to £80. We are also looking at extending the Licensing Act to give police powers to shut down immediately premises that have been caught selling alcohol to under-18s, for 24 hours."