A 20-year-old man was asked for ID - when he tried to buy a bottle of water.

Joshua Tacey tried to get Smartwater for his sick girlfriend Lizzie Turvey at a BP petrol station on Middle Lane, Lincoln, yesterday, but was asked for ID by the cashier.

Smartwater, which is made by Coca-cola, contains electrolytes that are also found in energy drinks. This could have caused the request for ID, as energy drinks are not sold to people under 16 by some shops.

Joshua Tacey, 20, was asked to prove his age when he tried to buy a bottle of Smartwater from a BP petrol station for his sick girlfriend Lizzie Turvey

The Smartwater, made by Coca-cola, contained electrolytes that are also found in energy drinks which may have led to the request for ID

Joshua, who lives in Newark, said: 'So I walked into the BP garage to get my poorly girlfriend a Smart Water and then put in on the counter and she looked at me asking for my ID.

'I laughed and woman behind me laughed with confusion.

'I thought at first it was a joke but she was actually being serious, so I said: 'you're joking aren't you?' and she said: 'no, but I will let you off this time.''

Joshua said it was 'ridiculous' that you could be asked to show ID to buy Smart Water.

'It's getting really pathetic now. What if we had the really hot summer like last year and a kid walks in asking for water but can't buy it because he or she isn't the correct age?

Several shops have stopped selling energy drinks to under 16s because of its content. However, it is unclear why they would ask for ID for Smartwater (pictured)

Josh said he thought it was 'ridiculous' and 'pathetic' that he should be asked for ID for water

'I have heard of people being ID'd about energy drinks but not water.'

When the BP garage was contacted a member of staff said it wasn't common practice to ID someone who is buying water.

He said: 'We don't ID for water. Apologies, I will speak with her.'

Sales of energy drinks to under 16s were banned by a number retailers last year due to concerns that they contain high levels of sugar and caffeine.

When the BP garage was contacted it said that it does not usually ask customers for ID when purchasing water

Smartwater contains the electrolytes Calcium chloride, Magnesium chloride and Potassium bicarbonate, with both potassium and magnesium also being found in some energy drinks.

However, unlike energy drinks it does not contain any caffeine.

In August last year the government opened a consultation on whether to ban the sale of energy drinks to under 16s over fears they damage children's health.

The drinks contain high amounts of caffeine and sugar, which are linked to obesity and other health issues.

Several UK supermarkets, including Morrisons, Waitrose, Asda and Co-op, have already banned the sale of energy drinks to under 16s.