Underage drinkers in Northern Ireland will find it increasingly difficult to get their hands on cheap drink.

New legislation due to take effect today will require young people to show a passport, photocard driving licence or an electoral identity card before they can buy alcohol in an off licence.

The move represents a tightening up of existing laws and it will put the onus on sellers to make sure people are old enough to buy alcohol.

It means that teenagers and young people will no longer be able to hide behind fake ID printed off the internet, while off licences will be required to display notices setting out the offences relating to its sale or purchase for under-18s.