The move will be unveiled as part of a raft of measures designed to curb binge-drinking among teenagers and children as young as 10.

Youths who regularly drink alcohol in public will be committing an offence under new legislation.

Police will also be handed tougher powers to disperse gangs of youngsters congregating in the street and other popular hangouts like parks and bus shelters.

The cross-Whitehall drive comes amid heightened concern among voters about anti-social behaviour and alcohol abuse among younger people.

It will see teenagers persistently possessing alcohol in public subjected to anti-social behaviour orders (Asbos) and acceptable behaviour contracts.

Their parents will be hit by similar orders and contracts - including the requirement to attend parenting courses - if they fail to get their children to "change their ways". Ultimately, they could be prosecuted.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said professionals would be called in where parents were unable to handle their offspring.

"Groups of under-18s drinking in public are an all too familiar sight," she said.

"This type of drinking increases youth anti-social behaviour and crime, puts young people in vulnerable situations and I want to put a stop to it."