Protesters attack bars in Bolivia

Protesters say the bars make their neighbourhood unsafe

Hundreds of angry residents have attacked bars and brothels in Bolivia for a second day amid reports they were selling alcohol to underage drinkers.

Protesters armed with sticks and stones smashed windows and set furniture ablaze in at least 20 bars in El Alto, on the edge of the capital, La Paz.

They want local government to pass laws banning pubs and brothels near schools.

Municipal council chairman Gustavo Morales told Spain's Efe news agency such regulations were in the pipeline.

'Neighbourhoods unsafe'

The protesters - mostly families mobilised by the El Alto Parents' Federation - say the establishments are making their neighbourhood unsafe.

Local newspaper reports said some bars had hidden areas for underage alcohol consumption.

"We want to end this, because our children are here, our husbands, our brothers-in-law, all the males in the family spend their time here," local resident Justina Mamani told The Associated Press news agency.

Mr Morales said the new laws would extend the minimum distance between brothels and schools from 300m to 500m (330 to 550 yards) and limit business hours for all nightlife venues.

El Alto is one of the poorest areas of Bolivia.

Many of its one million residents were instrumental in bringing down the government of Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada amid violent protests in 2003.