TRADING standards bosses have revealed more about their plans to use teenage decoys in swoops on shopkeepers who sell cigarettes to children under 16.

The move, revealed two weeks ago, follows a string of complaints by parents and the public against premises across Blackburn and Darwen.

Teenagers posing as potential customers will be sent into shops where cigarettes have allegedly been sold to youngsters under 16.

Blackburn and Darwen trading standards chief Chris Allen warned that shops caught selling cigarettes to under age customers could face fines up to £5,000.

He said since April 1 complaints had been lodged against seven shops in Blackburn and Darwen.

Mr Allen said: "We will be visiting each shop to advise them on the law and the checks they should make if they are not sure a person is 16 or more. After giving the advice, we will follow it up by making a test purchase by sending a young person into the shop.

"This is a tried and tested method and follows Home Office guidelines. "I will view it a success if the shopkeepers refuse to serve the youngsters. It would mean that they listened to the advice we gave them."

He said youngsters used in the operation will be volunteers and probably be the sons or daughters of trading standards officers.

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