A bid to crack down on underage drinking and antisocial behaviour was last night backed by MPs.

The House of Assembly approved a bill by Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley to make ID checks at the doors of bars and clubs mandatory.

Mr Dunkley said he had considered potential effects on tourism — but added he had been carded at a US sports event and had been refused a beer because he had a Bermuda driving licence.

And Mr Dunkley told MPs that similar schemes were already widespread in the US, the Island’s main market for tourism.

Mr Dunkley added: “If we can get some of that thinking to come to Bermuda we can make an impact with regard to responsible drinking and on underage drinking.”

But the House refused to back a bill by Independent MP Terry Lister, which aimed to outlaw the sale of single miniatures of liquor and single bottles of beer in stores.

Mr Lister asked that the bill be held over — and said he would raise the matter again at a later date.