SHOPKEEPERS were today warned to be on their guard against underage customers, after three off-licences were caught in a trading standards sting.

Three Pendle stores are being investigated after staff sold alcohol to a girl aged 13.

The sting, condenamed Operation Flock, was carried out as a joint initiative between Trading Standards and police.

It resulted in a 100 per cent record when a teenage girl carried out test purchases.

One male shop owner was arrested by police on the night, after giving false details to Trading Standards officers.

The two bodies are warning the operations will be carried out throughout the year in a bid to crack down on juvenile nuisance.

Town centre beat bobby Phil Davies, said: "We have taken the view that this operation was too successful in regards to a 13 year old girl being sold alcohol in every shop we carried out the test purchases.

"The operation was carried out to try and cut down on alcohol abuse and juvenile nuisance.

"We had a lot of complaints after the Blues Festival about certain offences relating to juveniles, which is why we executed the operation during the September holidays.

"It is an on-going operation and people should be aware of that.

"We want to send out a clear message that we won't tolerate off-licences profiting from juveniles."

St John Puttock warned shopkeepers that he would take action to prevent them from selling alcohol if they are found selling alcohol to underage customers.

He added: "If there are any reported offences at any off-licences, the police will be making an application to the magistrates courts for a revoke of the Justices Licence."