Concerns are being raised over proposals to allow 16 year-olds in the Isle of Man to drink alcohol.

Staff at the Alcohol Advisory Service are responding to suggestions made by Deputy Chief Constable Gary Roberts.

The comments were made in relation to the idea of providing a safe environment for youngsters to drink.

But, Director of the Alcohol Advisory Service Thea Ozenturk (pictured) doesn't think it's the answer: "It might seen like a quick-fix to the teen drinking issue, which is probably what the debate was about really.

"(But) if we listen to young people, and very often we do have conferences on the Island where young people are asked to contribute and ask what they would like, I don't really hear them saying they want pubs.

"I think they are asking for more facilities and places where they can go and hang out together. Not all kids want to be involved in sports and the arts, they just want somewhere to chill at the weekends with their friends."