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Balance and Â鶹ÊÓƵhave issued a plea to parents to think twice about providing alcohol to children or teens this summer.

It comes as local authorities and police step up patrols and activity across the North East designed to support alcohol age of sale laws and community safety.

Balance is launching the campaign aimed at giving parents information about the risks of under-age drinking and encouraging families to think twice about providing alcohol.

Alcohol in childhoodincreases the risks of accidents, injuries, smoking and drug taking, and can affect children's mood and mental health.  But 70 per cent of alcohol drank by children comes from the family home.

If children drink, this also increases their risk of them drinking more heavily as older teens and adults. Longer term, this raises the risks of diseases such as heart disease and seven types of cancer, including breast and bowel cancer.

Susan Taylor, Head of Alcohol Policy for Balance, said: "We all want the best for our children. No parent wants to think their child might be the one getting drunk, taking risks, having an accident or getting into a situation they can't handle.

"But the fact is most of the alcohol that ends up in the hands of children comes from the home - often from parents. This undermines alcohol age of sale laws which are there to protect both children and communities.

"Nearly half of North East adults are drinking above low risk limits and raising their risks of seven types of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The longer we can delay drinking alcohol in the lives of our children, the better."

Chief Medical Officer (CMO)'s guidance recommends an alcohol-free childhood up to 18 is the healthiest and best option, but if children do drink it should not be before age 15.

Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, added: "At the moment vaping is occupying a lot of concern from schools, parents and teachers and this is understandable. But the question is whether we are taking youth drinking as seriously as vaping?

"However, alcohol is a group one carcinogen which causes seven types of cancer, can ruin lives and result in dependency. We need to perhaps start to ask why giving children a few beers or ciders to have with friends is sometimes seen as a rite of passage."

Councillor Ruth Berkley, Lead Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: "It is important that parents understand that even small amounts of alcohol can affect the physical and mental health of young people.

"Those who drink at a young age are more likely to become heavy drinkers as adults, take up smoking, use illegal drugs and take other risks which can result in accidents and injuries.

"There is a clear relationship between adolescent alcohol use and mental health problems, as well as low mood and motivation which can affect performance at school or college. An entirely alcohol-free childhood is the safest and healthiest choice and we'd encourage all parents and carers to talk to their children and make sure they understand the reasons for this."

To find out the facts and the myths people can visit and download the free Parents Guide which can help parents have a conversation with their child about alcohol.