Two Hammersmith schools, Addison Primary School and Lena Gardens Primary School, are trying to stop shops from selling super-strength beer and cider to protect children from street drinkers.

Backed by the Metropolitan Police, they have applied to Hammersmith and Fulham Council to get the licence of five shops in Shepherd's Bush Road changed to stop the traders from selling beer and cider above 5.5 per cent alcohol content.

The schools, in Addison Gardens and Lena Gardens, have told the council they are worried about the safety of children and parents as they walk past street drinkers. Three quarters of parents responding to the schools' questionnaire stated they have noticed a problem with drinkers congregating around Shepherd's Bush Road, Uxbridge Road and Brook Green.

Some said they have been confronted or threatened and 58 per cent fear for their children's safety.

Supporting their application, Inspector Chris Wood, of Fulham Police Station, added: "These high-strength drinks are often purchased by individuals who have problems with alcohol abuse."

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has received more than 30 letters supporting the schools' application.

One resident of Melrose Gardens, Hammer-smith, submitted photographs of a drunk urinating and others slumped unconscious in his road.

He stated: "Drunks lying unconscious in the street in broad daylight are a common sight."

Other householders have reported people fighting, begging, sleeping on doorsteps and defecating in streets and gardens.

The Shepherd's Bush Road shops, which are to have their licences reviewed, are Seven Up at number 92; Fairway Foods at number 20; London News at number 52; Langani Superstore at number 86 and Best Wines at number 154.

Best Wines premises licence holder Jarinder Chawla said: "We are a specialist off licence and we have got liqueurs, beers and wines from around the world. They are asking us to take a lot of products off the shelves and it is not fair."

Fairway Foods has already agreed to an additional condition to its licence, which will prevent it selling the super-strength booze.

The schools will make their plea to the council's licensing committee which is due to meet tonight. The applications to review all five licences will be heard separately. Councillors do have the power to revoke licences, if they believe restricting the sale of high-strength beer and cider will not solve the problem.