BLACKPOOL'S under age drinkers came across some familiar faces when school teachers joined police on patrol at the resort's clubs and bars.
Teachers from the resort's Beacon Hill school joined police on patrol on Saturday night – after spotting their students drinking while on nights out themselves.
Sara Docherty, and Karen Boucher, pastoral managers at Beacon Hill in Bispham, gave up their Saturday night to accompany the police.
Sara, 32, said: "We always find it quite shocking that pupils, especially girls will bounce up to us and say "hiya miss" if they see us when we are out. Our main concern is safeguarding the pupils' welfare, the girls dress quite provocatively and look a lot older than they are when they go out.
"They are simply not mature or experienced enough at 14 and 15 to be able to deal with the kind of attention they get.
"It always makes me wonder if their parents know where they are, it is such a frightening thought."
One 16-year-old girl got a nasty shock when she was spotted and confronted in Walkabout bar by one of her former school teachers and the police.
The teenager was ejected from the premises and police took her details with a view to contacting her parents. She was also permanently barred from entering Walkabout.
PC David Boyd, from Blackpool's Youth Involvement Team, said: "We work closely with schools and staff from Beacon Hill High told us they had been in Blackpool on numerous occasions and spotted pupils out drinking alcohol.
"The scheme isn't just about the danger alcohol poses to health, it is also about preventing young people from getting themselves into dangerous situations.
"It is difficult for door-staff sometimes, the former Beacon Hill student we confronted certainly looked over 18 and she had got in using the ID of an older relative who she closely resembled.
"This is why teachers are such a great help to the Police, we hope other schools will come on board with the scheme."
Walkabout management have now invited the teachers to stand and assist door staff on a Thursday night which is a popular night for young people to go into Blackpool.
Other licensed premises have welcomed the scheme.
Matt Taylor, executive general manager of the Syndicate nightclub on Church Street said:"We support any scheme that stops underage drinkers from getting served.
"Although we do operate a no ID, no entry policy, fake ID is a big problem nationally.
"Using teachers to point out underage drinkers is a clever solution."