NORTH Dorset MP Robert Walter has thrown his weight behind a No Sale No ID campaign, and found support for the scheme when he visited a Gillingham store.

Susan Toogood, who runs the Broad Robin Stores and Post Office in Wyke is among over 100,000 retailers across the UK who support a proof of age scheme.

The No Sale No ID scheme raises awareness about the minimum legal age for tobacco, lottery tickets, alcohol, solvents and fireworks.

And it helps retailers to refuse underage sales by showing them how to work out someone's age, spotting fake ID and helping them to record attempted purchases.

Young people are encouraged to apply for a CitizenCard, a recognised photo ID scheme run by a not for profit organisation which shows who the cardholder is and how old they are.

Mrs Toogood said: "I thought it was a very good idea.

"It's so difficult for any retail outlet to know how old they are.

"They look a lot older. If they don't have any ID we have the right to refuse them. We don't want to risk selling things to those under age."

Mr Walter is writing to all 18 year olds coming on to the electoral register and enclosing a CitizenCard application form.

Currently, there are 11,813 CitizenCard holders of all ages from across Dorset, the majority obtained by 16 to 18 year olds.

Mr Walter said: "I'm very pleased to be supporting the No ID No Sale campaign. Particularly in the run up to Christmas, it is important that teenagers recognise the law, and those who are old enough get an CitizenCard."

Mr Walter also used his visit to the Gillingham store to discuss the latest Government plans for sub post offices.

Broad Robin Stores is a very busy sub-post office serving a thriving community.

Mrs Toogood said she was concerned about the effect on the local population if the post office was to close.

"I know if we close there will be an uproar," she said. "I don't think Gillingham post office would cope. We serve quite a big number of people, of all ages."