What the Sunday papers said

Thousands of members of the public worried about the prospect of binge drinking in their neighbourhoods are trying to shutter problem pubs and bars. In areas long plagued by binge drinking, residents are availing themselves of the right to petition councils - who will dispense the new licences - to change a pub's licensing arrangements, or even have it closed down altogether. The new legislation would see a rise in "people power", said Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, chairman of the Local Government Association. - Sunday Times​

The new licensing system is rigged in favour of longer hours, whatever local communities want, writes Labour MP and former Health Secretary Frank Dobson. People have to prove their lives will be made a misery for councils to block an extension request. - Mail On Sunday​

Binge drinking teenagers are now spiralling out of control, downing such large quantities of alcohol that it damages their health. More than a third of all youngsters are drinking at "worrying" levels, said Dr Bill Shanahan, executive medical director of Capio Nightingale Hospitals. Figures obtained by Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow suggested 4,600 children turned up at hospital in the last year with serious alcohol-related illnesses, while a survey published last December found that Britain's teenagers were among the heaviest drinkers in Europe. - Sunday Express​

The London School Of Economics (LSE), whose scathing report on identity cards was rejected by the government, said regular use of ID cards will mean they will wear out much quicker than is being anticipated. The LSE also said the government has drastically underestimated the cost of the technology required to identify and check ID cards. - The Business​

A multi-faith group, the Faith Community Consultation (FCC) consortium has said it opposes the introduction of identity cards. The FCC believes the introduction of ID cards will pave the way for 'ethnic profiling', a claim the Home Office denies. - The Observer​

Six teenagers were arrested after a popular landlord in the Cotswold village of Pucklechurch was run over and killed by a car following a confrontation with a gang of youths. Bob Todd, landlord of the Star Inn, intervened when a gang of youths from outside the village attacked local youngsters on a recreation ground. - Sunday Telegraph​

And finally...

A bar in Northern Ireland is to host the first gay wedding in the UK later this year. Andre Graham and his boyfriend Seamus Sweeney, who own the Kremlin bar in Belfast, will tie the knot in the premises on December 20, a day before such unions can be registered in the rest of the UK. - Sunday Times​