Trading standards bosses in Cumbria have praised six shops in the north west of the county which refused to sell alcohol to a 15-year-old in an undercover operation last week.

Following intelligence that underage drinking had been reported in the area a joint operation with Cumbria police took place with six shops tested across Silloth and Abbeytown with all refusing to serve the teenage boy on 22 July.

Anyone selling alcohol to underage people is liable to an £80 fine and further offences could lead to the shop losing their alcohol licence.

John Greenbank, from Cumbria Trading Standards, said: "This is the sort of result we hope for when we stage this type of operation and I’m very pleased. A successful operation is one where we get no sales.

"The sale of alcohol to children and young people can cause all sorts of health and anti-social behaviour issues and these shops have passed the test with flying colours.

"Selling alcohol to juveniles is a serious matter and we will continue to carry out test purchase operations until we stamp it out."

ENDS

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