The move comes in response to the Larne Times' front page story two weeks ago which highlighted concerns from the police and community representatives.

Colin Neill, chief executive of the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade - which represents over 1,000 licence holders in the pub and off licence trade across Northern Ireland - said he was "disturbed" by the story.

"The issue of underage and anti-social drinking is one that blights our society and has serious health, economic and social implications. As a local resident I feel that action needs to be taken and I am happy to take the first steps in creating this task force.

"We are currently working with the Department for Health and I have also met with Inspector Noel Rogan, Sector Manager of the local PSNI to discuss how we can help tackle this issue. In addition I will be urging locally elected representatives and civic and community leaders to get involved in this initiative and I trust that we will have the support and cooperation of the wider local community.

"The Federation and its membership have put a great deal of effort and resources to date into training for bar, door and off-licence staff to ensure they can properly identify minors and make sure they are not able to access alcohol.

"In recent months the FRLT has engaged with each of its members to ensure that they adhere to the Federation's Code of Practice. The code states that it is the responsibility of all license holders to ensure that minors are allowed on premises only with an adult and that in no circumstances is anyone under the legal drinking age to be served or allowed to consume any alcoholic product. The Federation has also set up a confidential phone-line to enable people to report any trader who has sold alcohol to minors. All reports will be investigated by the FRLT and anyone found to be supplying alcohol to minors will be met with a zero tolerance approach by the FRLT.

"This is not just a problem for licensees and politicians, it is an issue which affects society as a whole and many people have a role to play, most crucially being the parents. We would appeal to them to do all they can to ensure their child does not seek to obtain alcohol. We need to ensure that alcohol becomes less accessible to young people."

Supporting the move, Inspector Noel Rogan said:

"Underage and binge drinking is a major problem across Northern Ireland as well as her in Larne. I fully support and welcome the call from the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade and would encourage those in a position of influence to get involved in tackling this issue. However, it should be noted that there are a wide range of ways in which minors get alcohol with many getting adults to purchase it for them.

"I would urge parents, youth groups, community associations, schools and others to take a more active role in society and do their utmost to ensure that youths' under the age of 18 years are not obtaining alcohol.