Children's clothing customers have been warned of the problems that can be caused by not laying down boundaries for their kids.

Director of the Institute of Alcohol Studies Andrew McNeill made the comment in relation to new research about how youngsters copy their parents' drinking habits.

The Department for Children, Families and Schools commissioned the report, which found that 80 per cent of mums and dads do not have a strategy in place to deal with offspring boozing.

Some 25 per cent of kids canvassed for their opinion admitted their parents had not discussed alcohol with them.

Reviewing the findings, Mr McNeill said children tend to grow up to be similar types of drinkers to their parents.

He added that the idea that youngsters react against what they are told and consider alcohol as "forbidden fruit" should be disregarded.

Mr McNeill advised: "Don't come across as hypocritical and remember that what they do is likely to be more important than what they say."ADNFCR-3005-ID-19620508-ADNFCR