TEENAGE drinkers will come under the spot light in Cheddar when a theatre company visits the village.

TEENAGE drinkers will come under the spot light in Cheddar when a theatre company visits the village.

Kings of Wessex School has invited the performers to the village on February 14 in a bid to tackle antisocial behaviour and highlight the dangers of the drinking culture.

'Dyin 2 b Drunk', by South West theatre company Pretty Good Girl, has been snapped up by the Cheddar school.

The production follows the story of Amy, a bright young teenager who longs to fit in. All her friends are drinking so she decides that getting drunk is the way to 'be cool' and belong.

Actors are seen gulping down alco-pops, getting drunk and staggering out of off-licences.

Underage drinking has been an on-going problem in the village and the visit is welcomed by Cheddar police.

Sgt Mike Tripp said: "Any move to try and reduce the problem must be a good thing."

Parish councillors have also previously said that youngsters gather outside shops and drink because of the lack of activities for children.

A spokesman for the theatre company said: "The show highlights the allure of the drinking culture and then slowly takes you to the darkest situations that are reminiscent of the dangers we so often hear about."

A report published by the British Medical Association showed there has been a rise in the number of 11-15-year-olds who drink alcohol and the amount they drink is also increasing.