Booze worth hundreds of pounds has been confiscated from a Preston off- licence where it was being sold illegally.

The haul of beer, wine, alcopops and spirits, was removed from Fasal's Food and Wine Store, Plungington, following a raid by officers from Lea police station and licensing staff from Preston police station.

It followed an undercover sting operation by police on October 27, when an officer, acting as a customer, bought liquor at the shop, on the corner of Ripon Street and Brackenbury Road, despite it not having a licence to sell alcohol.

Inspector John Ainsworth, of Lea Police, said: "We believe the shop changed hands a few months ago but the owner had not renewed the licence after the previous owner had left.

"Obviously we do not take situations like this lightly and something had to be done."

Insp Ainsworth said community beat manager, PC Stuart Bromley, had received numerous complaints from residents who believed anti-social behaviour problems in the area centred around the shop where gangs of drunken youths frequently congregate outside.

He said: "We have already had a number of people come forward and thank us for what's happened and some have said that they have already noticed a difference."

But some residents have come forward in support of Fasal's manager, Donna Grimshaw, 21, who claims she was not aware that the shop was selling alcohol without a licence.

"I spoke to the shop owner and apparently the solicitor had not sent off the paperwork because the signature on the documentation wasn't clear enough," said Miss Grimshaw, who recently passed A-levels in criminology, psychology and law.

"I didn't even know we were operating without a licence and I just wouldn't have sold it if I had known.

"People say I'm responsible for the lads hanging around the shop but I can't stop them doing it. Sometimes I lock the door because I feel intimidated. It's certainly not my doing."

Customer Kim Gould, of Brackenbury Road, has collected 100 signatures on a petition and plans to hand it in to the police.

"The girl's done nothing wrong and it's not her fault," said Mrs Gould, whose house faces the shop.

"She works from 8am to 10pm every day of the week and even tries to get rid of the kids hanging around outside the shop."

Insp Ainsworth said the alcohol is now being kept under lock and key at Preston police station, Lawson Street, until officers conduct a formal interview with Miss Grimshaw.

When the investigation is completed the alcohol will be destroyed by officers

"I think this incident needs to be linked with the fact that the shop is within an area that has a dispersal order," he said.

"I think it is irresponsible to be selling alcohol illegally within an area that already had problems with juvenile nuisance and already has extra staff targeting the area to try and stop it.

"This is a good result for the police and for the area."