Two popular pubs in Glastonbury have introduced a new policy for drinkers under the age of 21.

The Rifleman's Arms has implemented a complete ban on individuals under 21 from their premises, while The King Arthur has opted for a weekend-only restriction.

The move reportedly follows unacceptable behaviour from younger drinkers and the increased use of fake IDs.

This decision, aimed at curbing issues with underage drinking and fake IDs, has sparked varied responses from the community.

The Rifleman's Arms has implemented a 21+ policy after repeated incidents with disrespectful teenage customers. The management hopes this change will ensure a more pleasant experience for adult patrons and staff.

The King Arthur quickly followed suit to support the Rifleman's and will enforce a 21+ policy from 8:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

They clarified that well-behaved young adults might be exempt from this rule, with entry and service at the discretion of management and staff. Going forward, they said they would only accept passports and driving licences as valid forms of identification.

The decision has broadly been welcomed in community social media groups.

Vicki Steward expressed enthusiasm for the change, noting, "Ooh, that makes me more likely to go to the Rife's if it's not going to look like a crèche in the back garden."

However, Seán Miller offered a different perspective, finding the measure somewhat harsh. "I do think it's rather extreme...Hopefully this is just a temporary ban because of a specific issue and when things settle down they'll rethink because I do feel particularly sad for those who are now "banned" merely because of their age having done absolutely nothing wrong."

Nick Cottle supports the decision, reflecting on his own experiences as a younger patron. "I do not believe it is extreme.. A pub has to make a profit, and if it looks like a kindergarten out the back, more mature customers will think twice about where they spend their money," he wrote. He also highlighted the potential serious implications for the pub's license if under-age drinkers were found on their property.

Kim Von Coels showed full support for the decision, sympathising with the staff and management for their challenges. "I'm fully in support of the decision."