Under-16s ban on buying energy drinks from April

Children under the age of 16 will be banned from buying energy drinks in England from April.

The announcement by the government means that drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre will be illegal to sell to young people.

The ban will include shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online sellers.

Businesses found selling these restricted drinks to children aged 15 or under in shops, via vending machines, or online could face fines of up to £2,500.

Drinks like Diet coke, tea and coffee won't be affected but others, such as Red Bull, Monster, Relentless and Prime all contain enough caffeine to be banned.

Energy drinks are designed to give you short bursts of energy.

They contain high levels of sugar and a stimulant called caffeine, which affects your body, making you feel more alert.

Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea and in food like chocolate.

Having too much caffeine can cause headaches and sleep problems.

Experts say young people can be more sensitive to caffeine because they have smaller bodies and their brains are still developing.

The government say a ban could help stop issues such as disrupted sleep, increased anxiety - or worrying about lots of things - and lack of concentration, as well as poorer school results.

Announcing the new measures, which were proposed last year, Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the ban "demonstrates our firm commitment to creating the healthiest generation of children ever".

The government ran a consultation on the ban from September to November.

During this time people were able to share their evidence and opinions about whether they thought the ban was a good idea.

The consultation received 1,095 responses from individuals and organisations, including businesses, public health organisations and enforcement bodies.

The government say overall there was a lot of support for banning the drinks.

However, not everyone agrees.

The British Soft Drinks Association said the ban was "unnecessary".

Whilst the ban is currently only for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also considering a ban.