The Exeter Express & Echo has won a five-year campaign to close a legal loophole which allows alcohol to be served to children on boat trips.

The Government will force so-called booze cruise vessels to get drinks licences in the same way as pubs.

Until now boats have been exempt from licensing laws. This meant that they could serve alcohol to youngsters over the age of five.

But that will change under the terms of the new Licensing Bill, which is now going through Parliament.

The Echo launched its campaign in 1997 after discovering how schoolchildren were getting so drunk on pleasure boat trips off the East Devon coast that some needed hospital treatment.

Boat operators refused to voluntarily end the practice, so the Echo organised a public meeting and rallied support from local marine safety agencies.

The paper lobbied a succession of Government ministers, including Jack Straw and John Prescott, and took the case to the then European Transport Commissioner, Neil Kinnock.

Editor Steve Hall said: “They were initially reluctant to act and presented a series of arguments, all of which we had to counter.

“They even claimed that it was just a local issue, so we found examples of where it had happened elsewhere – including right under Parliament’s nose on the River Thames.

“Finally they seemed to realise that kids, alcohol and the open water are a dangerous mix.”

The mother of one youngster who was rushed to hospital after collapsing on one of the trips said: “I am really chuffed, though this was a long time coming. It’s good news for parents everywhere.”

Exeter’s MP Ben Bradshaw added: “I’m extremely pleased that the Government has recognised the Express & Echo’s campaign and this loophole in the law, which put youngsters at risk on the water, will finally be closed.”

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