A SHOPKEEPER who was at the centre of an underage booze storm has finally been stripped of his licence.

Adil Farook, whose shop is in Ouseburn Lane, Blackburn, has abandoned his fight against the ban, putting an end to a long-running legal saga.

The store’s premises licence had been revoked by councillors back in February but Farook appealed, meaning he could carry on trading.

Earlier this month he was found guilty of three offences of selling alcohol to under age children as young as 12, one offence of selling cigarettes to under age children and one of applying a misleading price indication to a packet of cigarettes.

That case saw him stripped of his personal licence to sell alcohol, but the store was allowed to trade as the original appeal was still pending.

But now Farook, who lives in Rochdale, has told Blackburn Magistrates’ Court he would not pursue his appeal.

He was ordered to pay the council’s £1,100 costs along with a £2,500 bill he faced from the previous hearing.

Speaking after the original case, Coun John Slater, executive member for neighbourhood and customer services, said: "I hope this sends a clear warning to other shopkeepers that we will not tolerate the sale of alcohol to children.”

As revealed by the Lancashire Telegraph, the delay over the legal process had driven council officers to lobby the government for a change in the law.

Bosses have written to Blackburn MP and Justice Minister Jack Straw asking for the Licensing Act to be amended so a premise licence can be immediately revoked by the council.

Chris Allen, head of trading standards and environmental health, said: "Time and time again residents ask us, if a shop has been caught selling alcohol to children, why it can’t be shut down immediately. Under the present law that is not possible as there is a legal process which has to be gone through.

“We have to hold a 28-day consultation period asking the public to comment for or against the licence to sell alcohol being reviewed. The council’s licensing committee then hears representation from all parties and makes a decision. The licence holder can then appeal and until that appeal is heard, can continue to sell alcohol.”