A GROUP of volunteers has roared into action and taken steps to stop youngsters falling foul to drink spiking.

A GROUP of volunteers has roared into action and taken steps to stop youngsters falling foul to drink spiking.

Weston Lions Club has paid for 5,000 brightly coloured stoppers which are inserted into the necks of bottles.

Spikeys as they are known, have a hole at the top big enough for a straw to pass through and they make it difficult for anything else to be slipped into the drink.

The group is now hoping to get pubs and clubs on board to buy the next batch of stoppers, which glow in UV light so predators know a drink has been protected against tampering.

The Lions are happy to either give nightspot owners advice on where they can get spikeys or even order them in on their behalf.

Ken Coles, who has been with the group for 20 years, said: "We are hoping to supply the first ones to pubs and clubs.

"Then perhaps they will consider buying them in themselves as drink spiking is so common.

"Someone may think it is funny to, for example, put another spirit into someone else's drink.

"Leicestershire police are supporting a similar scheme in their area, so we are hoping we may be able to get Avon and Somerset police on board too."

If any pub and club owners want to join up to the scheme they can call Ken on 01934 644882.