Police have urged parents to monitor their children at weekends

Following a visit to Northampton's casualty department, Ch Supt Ken Willis said he was shocked at the number of teenagers needing attention.

Most were underage drinkers who were 16 or 17, but one was just 13.

He urged parents to take a "strong hand" in monitoring what their children are up to on Fridays and Saturdays.

Mr Willis was visiting Northampton General Hospital as part of Operation Storm, the summer campaign against alcohol-related crime in the town.

Health consequences

He said: "I was shocked at the number of teenage underage drinkers who came through the doors.

"It is unacceptable that children as young as 13 find themselves in a hospital's accident and emergency department the worse the wear for drink.

"Notwithstanding the extra pressures placed upon emergency services staff in dealing with these youngsters, the fact they are consuming this amount of alcohol at such a young age can have damaging consequences on their long-term health."