The Corporation of Hamilton has slapped a ban on alcohol for events in Number One Shed attended by children.

Despite the ban being in force for 12 months, the first experience many people had with it came at Wednesday evening's Inner Circle concert.

Promoter Mr. Choy Aming said a few people demanded their money back because they were not allowed to drink at the concert.

But pressure group the Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education (PRIDE) has thrown its weight behind alcohol-free concerts.

The group's members believe people can enjoy a concert without drinking alcohol.

Matters came to a head on Wednesday with the alcohol-free Inner Circle concert, but at Friday night's World Rugby Classic Up Front night, the alcohol was flowing.

Corporation of Hamilton Secretary Mr. Roger Sherratt confirmed the ban had been in effect for about 12 months and was introduced with increased uses of Number One Shed.

Mr. Sherratt said: "We had some concerns about concerts where young people were involved and alcohol had been served. There were calls for concerts which were alcohol free.

"We reviewed the situation and thought a good venue would be the Number One Shed which is used fairly regularly during the Rendezvous season.

"We only allow alcohol to be served where the organisers can prove that the audience is going to be mature adults.'' Mr. Sherratt said that Police, the West Indian Association and the World Rugby Classic organisers have been able to do that.

But he stressed that the World Rugby Classic organisers were unable to persuade him that the Inner Circle concert would have a totally adult audience. The concert, though organised by Mr. Aming, was part of the week of rugby events.

Mr. Aming who says three or four people demanded refunds of their $30 tickets before entering the Inner Circle concert.

He said: "I will not be able to put on any big concerts in there now, only small ones, and only for adults in some cases.

"It is very difficult to prove that the audience will be completely adult.'' Chairperson of PRIDE Mrs. Pauline Richards said: "We are aware that a number of those people attending a concert earlier this week were annoyed that no alcohol would be served.

"However it is PRIDE's position that entertainment and sports events can be enjoyed without that enjoyment being dependent on the presence of alcohol.'' Mrs. Richards pointed out that this message was fundamental to the work of PRIDE and added that teenagers attending the annual Youth to Youth conference at Bermuda College are being taught the skills of making health lifestyle choices.

She said: "On the one hand our young people are being taught that life can be an exciting, fulfilling experience without the use of alcohol.

"On the other hand they are receiving conflicting messages when they attend a concert like the one at the Passenger Terminal, where the absence of alcohol made some patrons so angry that they demanded their money back.''