Shipley MP Philip Davies is calling for tougher action on under-age drinkers after forcing the Government to admit under 18s are downing the equivalent of more than 11 glasses of wine a week.

He wants to see more punishments put in place for people who buy alcohol before they are 18 in a bid to clamp down on under-age drinking.

His calls come after he questioned the Department of Health over drinking levels among children - classed as under 18s who legally cannot buy alcohol.

Public health Minister Caroline Flint told him that the average alcohol consumption in 1990 was 5.3 units, which increased to 11.4 units in 2000, with levels fluctuating around the same to date.

A small glass of wine is one unit, most spirits are also one and a pint two units.

He said: "Children are drinking on average 11 glasses a wine a week. And given that that is the average number of children - it would suggest there are many drinking a lot more as some will not be drinking any. Consumption will be much higher for some.

"There are lots of penalties for people who sell to under-age people but more should be done to punish the young people buying it as only they really know if they are breaking the law. I want to see much more tough penalties."

Mr Davies fears some may be drinking at home with parents so nothing can be done, but wants to the Government to crackdown on underage drinking in public places.

He said: "This is utterly unacceptable. Where are they drinking it? Children drinking alcohol is a huge source of anti-social behaviour and it blights communities and is upsetting for people."