A MINI market that sold wine and spirits to under-age youngsters though a home delivery service could now have its licence revoked.

The Mars Mini Market, in Johnson Street, Blackburn, sold large bottles of Lambrini and quarter bottles of vodka to two 15-year-old girls, who were assisting police and council officials in a test purchase operation.

The girls were able to place orders and buy alcohol on two separate occasions in one night.

Police had been alerted to the home delivery service at the Wensley Fold store after residents complained that youngsters were able to buy booze from the comfort of their own homes.

The shop was one of a number of premises targeted in a clamp down on selling alcohol to children, although other businesses refused to sell booze to the girls.

Police and Trading Standards officers spoke to staff at the shop and the licensee at the time and are now considering what further action to take.

Chris Allen, head of the council’s public protection service, said the shop could now face a licence review.

“Evidence will go before the licensing committee which could decide to impose conditions on the licence, suspend or remove it. We work very hard with shop keepers to make them aware of the law about under age sales and I was pleased to see most did refuse to sell,” he said.

Sergeant Kevin Jones, from north west neighbourhood policing team added: “We will always pursue retailers that sell alcohol to children and will seek to protect young people.

“It was reassuring to see that the vast majority of off licenses which were also tested refused to sell to the underage girls. We will continue to run similar operations in the future."

Staff at the shop said they would comply with what ever decision was taken by the council and police.

Anyone with information about premises selling alcohol to underage children to should contact police or the Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Call Time hotline on 08456 066607.