DRINKS brands Smirnoff and Red Bull are being urged to stop employing student "brand ambassadors" to promote their products.

Bournemouth councillor Pat Oakley said he intended to write to both companies, highlighting the problems associated with the large house parties they sometimes support.

And fellow councillor Dave Smith called on Smirnoff to stop recruiting student ambassadors, saying it was "sending out the wrong message" to young people.

Council made it illegal to enter "Smirnoff party" building to stop event going ahead

The calls come after Bournemouth council officers and Police Community Support Officers took pre-emptive action to prevent a "Smirnoff party" from taking place at the Parklands student accommodation in Talbot Woods.

The student party, which was a warm-up event ahead of the summer ball, was expected to attract up to 300 guests. Smirnoff was supposed to be providing a sound system for the party and students had been told to expect Smirnoff giveaways.

Smirnoff employs 40 student ambassadors across 20 universities and 20 cities. They organise events on and off campus, including promotional stunts, house parties and market research.

Cllr Oakley, who represents Winton East, said Winton residents had previously experienced problems with sponsored house parties, which could involve up to four houses at a time.

"It's an absolute disgrace that companies like Smirnoff and Red Bull promote these sort of parties without any consideration for the effect they will have on the surrounding environment," he said.

"It's very disappointing but it's great that we were able to do something about this latest party by using our new powers under the Antisocial Behaviour Act.

"I'm going to write to these companies and ask them if they are aware of the irresponsible behaviour that is going on.

"Added to that, the pre-loading culture for young people today is massive and anything that will add to that is of course a real concern."

Bournemouth was recently revealed to be the 6th worst town in the country for alcohol-related deaths, with a mortality rate of 21.9 per 100,000 people.

Cllr Smith, cabinet member for planning and environment, said: "With all the concerns in society today about excessive binge drinking and premature deaths from alcohol related diseases it's hugely irresponsible for large companies such as Smirnoff and Red Bull to promote drinking to excess amongst young people.

A spokesperson for Smirnoff said: "All Smirnoff Brand Ambassadors go through a rigorous recruitment process and extensive training in the Diageo Marketing Code, which promotes the responsible consumption of all our brands.

"Activities are only for students over the age of 18 and have strict parameters in which they operate under, all of which are in line with the Government’s daily alcohol guidelines.

"The majority of activity is providing samples of Smirnoff at pre-existing events, where it is strictly limited to a sample of one unit of alcohol per adult.”

Campus Industries, who run the brand ambassador scheme, declined to comment. Efforts to contact Red Bull were unsuccessful.