TEENAGERS who lend their IDs to younger friends so they can gain entry to Sidmouth s Carina s night club have been warned of the consequences of their actions.

TEENAGERS who lend their IDs to younger friends so they can gain entry to Sidmouth's Carina's night club have been warned of the consequences of their actions.

The town's neighbourhood policing team have joined forces with security staff at the venue in a bid to curb the trend and their message is clear, youngsters caught will have their IDs confiscated and could even face arrest.

PCSO Jay Pepper said: "Kids are lending ID, driving licenses and passports to under agers and are being caught out. Carina's are on the ball - if someone is found to be using someone else's ID it will be confiscated and go to me. I will pass it back to the originator.

"This could incur a charge for anyone who then has to re-apply and could also interfere with driving lessons or tests.

"Trying to use a passed on ID can be classed as false representation and you can be liable for arrest."

Manager of Carina's Mandy Patch said: "It's happening an awful lot- five to ten times a weekend- people are giving their IDs to their younger brothers and sisters who they look like in the photo.

"This weekend we had a girl try to get her 15 year old sister in, they looked nearly identical but we picked up on it.

"Our doormen are pretty sharp and strict-we have to be- it is risking my license and the doormen risking their own licenses. If we think its not them in the photo we keep it back and give it to the police.

"The last six months it's been pretty bad- youngsters trying to get in- I think it's because they have nowhere else to go. They just don't realise the consequences and it is a big problem."

The minimum age for entry into the club is 17. Under-18s are stamped so bar staff can recognise not to serve them alcohol, but PCSO Pepper is concerned that if under-agers do get in with adult ID they may be able to cheat the system. She added: "It's just a very unethical thing to do. Friends aren't doing their mates any favours, especially if they are drinking underage and then become involved in an incident".