County council trading standards officers teamed up with Cumbria Police and teenage volunteers.

They set up nine test purchasing events in which 58 premises were visited, and 13 and 14-year-olds managed to buy alcohol on eight occasions.

The project was part of the Home Office alcohol misuse enforcement campaign.

Council head of trading standards Phil Ashcroft said: "The results are disappointing, especially as all the off-licences targeted were advised of their obligations and warned that test purchasing exercises were to be conducted in their areas."

Binge drinking

He said enforcement action would be taken against outlets that flouted licensing laws.

Acting Assistant Chief Constable John Taylor said: "The Home Office have equipped the police with the tools to facilitate a robust enforcement campaign.

"This campaign has and is being applied extensively in north and south Cumbria, running in tandem with the Nightsafe campaign in west Cumbria.

"The overall aim is to cut alcohol-fuelled violence and target the irresponsible few who encourage under age and binge drinking."