NEW rules calling on all pubs and clubs to accept Army identity cards as proof of age cannot be followed by venues due to their licences.

Despite Warrington Borough Council becoming the first in the country to accept the military ID the new policy has hit a wall because some licences handed out by the council dictate the exact forms of ID acceptable – and Army ID cards are not one of them.

Last month we reported on soldier Lance Corporal Jon Dykes of the 1st Mercian Regiment, who was turned away from Friars Court pub in the town centre despite having his Army ID.

But the pub say they were only acting by the book and following their strict licensing conditions by refusing entry to the soldier of Longford Street, Orford. Manager Simon Pugsley said: “In my premises licence it says the only forms of identity that we are allowed to accept are passports, driving licences, valid student identification and cards with a pass mark on them.

“If we were to let someone in without those IDs we are in breach of our licence unless we get our licence changed.”

The council earlier this year said that licensed premises should accept Army ID as official proof of age.

The move came after a campaign by the father of another soldier, Lance Reah from Latchford, whose son was turned away from a bar despite having his Army ID.

The main issue for soldiers is that they are often required to keep their passports and driving licences at their barracks so when they return home they only have their Army ID which has their date of birth on.

A spokesman for the council said: “While it remains the responsibility of individual venues to decide who they will accept on to their premises, the council recognises the importance of this issue to residents and the role we can play.

“We are aware that some premises have ‘legacy’ conditions set several years ago which stipulate the forms of ID to be accepted and we are looking to work with partners to address this issue as a priority.

We have been actively promoting the acceptance of military cards as a valid form of ID. In the meantime, we would ask premises to be pragmatic in terms of what ID they will accept and to continue to work with us to promote a consistent policy.”