WAITROSE is banning sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16.

The supermarket says customers buying drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre would be asked to prove they are over 16 years of age from March 6.

The move follows calls by campaigners for a complete ban on the sale of energy drinks to children following findings that their sugar and caffeine content remains high despite reformulation ahead of the soft drinks levy.

Waitrose, which has a store in the centre of Wellington, said its decision was built on existing industry labelling guidelines, which require any soft drink with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to carry a high-caffeine content warning and state it is not recommended for children.

Youngsters in the UK are among the highest consumers of energy drinks in Europe.