A large majority of MPs on Wednesday voted against plans which would have allowed local councils to increase the legal age teenagers can buy beer and wine from 16 to 18.

Parliament was debating changes to the licensing laws drawn up by health minister Ab Klink.
MPs said they were concerned the flexible age limit would lead to ´alcohol tourism´, whereby teenagers moved into neighbouring towns with a lower limit.
In addition, having different age limits in different places sent out a mixed message.
Instead, MPs said, ministers should focus on making sure the current ban on alcohol sales to under-16s actually works and on alcohol abuse prevention programmes.
Dutch teenagers are heavy drinkers in European terms. Hundreds of youngsters are taken to hospital every year with alcohol poisoning.