Southwark Council to reward those who sign up to its pioneering proof of age scheme

From now until 10 March, every school that hosts a proof of age sign up day for its students will be rewarded with a 32" flat screen tv and the opportunity to host experts from the council's trading standards team. They will be able to pass on their advice to students and young people on age restricted goods such as tobacco, alcohol and computer games etc.

On top of that, any individual who signs up to the scheme by the end of May will have their names put in a hat with the opportunity to win a 32" flat screen TV with home cinema system.

The cards are free to all Southwark residents aged between 16 to 25 years old. They also entitle the bearer to discounts in some shops and can be used as library cards as well.

Southwark was the first London borough to introduce its own proof of age card for young people since the Connexions card scheme ended in 2006.

Since then around 2,600 young people have signed up to the scheme, accredited by the nationally recognised PASS body.

Cllr Linda Manchester, Southwark Council's executive member for community safety, said: "We're really proud of our SPA cards scheme, and of the fact that we were the first borough in London to introduce them.

"However, we still want to get the message out to those young people who don't have them, that they're a genuine, reputable form of id, and worth getting. Also, this card makes life easier for all those involved in age-restricted sales by giving them a single, recognisable logo which they can trust.

"Southwark has already done a lot of work to reduce the illegal sales products such as knives, alcohol and tobacco, and this scheme helps retailers to confirm the age of their young customers and restrict sales only to those legally entitled to purchase."