Fears have been expressed that the Government's new proof of age scheme will cause confusion in Great Dunmow because a similar initiative is already up and running.

Dunmow councillor David Westcott, who chairs the Essex County Council community safety committee, believes the two schemes will be running at loggerheads.

"Different schemes will cause confusion and I think ministers would have done better to support local schemes," he said.

However, Dunmow Pubwatch chairman Alf Williams welcomed the Government's intervention and expressed disappointment with the scheme launched in November by Essex Police and Essex Trading Standards.

"I do not think it has been very successful," said Mr Williams. "Personally I am more interested in the national scheme because it appears a much better idea and better organised."

The Boars Head landlord added: "The Government's scheme seems much easier for the kids to understand, because rather than sending off their picture and details, they have just got to get them signed locally by a policeman or JP."

Around 3,000 cards were issued to teenagers in Braintree and Uttlesford to bear their photograph and date of birth and prove their age if they try to buy alcohol and other restricted goods like tobacco, fireworks, videos and lottery tickets.

Chairman of Dunmow Chamber of Trade, Mike Perry, said: "It was only going to be a certain age group category who needed some sort of the identity card.

"It does the job, but I think the national scheme would be far superior because wherever people go it would be recognised."

Unlike the free Essex initiative, the national scheme launched in February will charge young people £5 for the card and it is feared this may deter people from applying.

"We want to encourage our young people to keep within the law as well as helping traders identify their ages," added Cllr Westcott.

"Charging them £5 for the card seems a funny way of ensuring maximum take-up of the cards."

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