Shops in an East Lancashire borough were part of a joint Trading Standards and police test purchase operation.

Officers from Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to carry out age-restricted purchase attempts at 49 shops and licensed premises across the county.

Volunteers aged 13 to 16 were able to purchase alcohol or vapes in Rossendale, with penalty charge notices being issues for the alcohol sales, and enforcement action will be considered by Trading Standards for the vape sales.

Businesses in South Ribble, Preston, Fylde and Fleetwood were also part of the operation over the Easter weekend.

Trading Standards also seized more than 590 non-compliant vapes during the operation.

In total, four out of 13 businesses sold e-cigarettes, four out of 35 sold alcohol, and one shop tested for cigarettes did not sell.

Trading Standards manager Angela Lomax said: "Although we are pleased that the vast majority of the businesses that were tested did not sell to the volunteers, we are still disappointed that eight still chose to sell alcohol and vapes to children.

"A robust 'Check 25' policy is the best way for businesses to eliminate sales to underage customers.

"We encourage anyone who has concerns about the sale of any age-restricted products to report these to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0808 223 1133."