FIVE out of 21 off-licences in Leigh and Wigan, targeted in an undercover operation by Wigan Council Trading Standards Officers, were caught selling alcohol to an under-age drinker.
The officers, assisted by a 14-year-old teenager, used new powers given to them through changes in the Licensing Act in December which allow them to carry out surveys into under-age alcohol sales.
Hundreds of off-licences in the borough will now be sent further information on the new controls and the heavy penalties -- a fine of up to £5,000 and six months' imprisonment for each offence -- for those licensees who continue to sell alcohol to anyone under 18.
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