Trading standards officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council have carrying out spot checks in a crackdown on those serving alcohol to children.

A handful of shops and bars were fined �80 in the first week of the operation and warned over their sales, after test buyers were sent in.

Lancashire police said they hoped the fines sent out a "strong message".

"This is very disappointing and shows that the message clearly hasn't got through to some sales staff," said Councillor Dave Hollings, executive member for citizen and consumer rights.

"The patrols were careful to use young people who look well below the age of 18 and should have been asked to prove their age.