Detectives accompanied two 16-year-old boys and a 15-year-old girl to 16 stores over a weekend.

Staff at 10 supermarkets failed to spot the youngsters were underage.

The swoop focusing on the procedures retailers have in place for vetting the age of their customers was the latest stage of the Safe Nottingham campaign.

Supermarkets caught Asda, Hyson Green Budgens, Derby Road Co-Op, Bulwell Iceland, Bulwell Jacksons, Lenton Jacksons, Wollaton Marks and Spencer, Nottingham Sainsbury's, Castle Marina Spar, Upper Parliament Street Tesco, Victoria Centre

Managers at the stores were called to a meeting with senior police officers later in the week.

The checkout staff who sold the alcohol were fined �80 each.

Insp Paul Winter said: "It was very disappointing but it does show how easy teenagers can get hold of drink.

"Our teenage customers were able to buy very strong lager, shots of vodka and other spirits at some of the biggest supermarket chains in the country. That is unacceptable.

"Anyone with a licence to sell alcohol, whether it be a pub, club, corner shop or large supermarket, has a responsibility to make sure people under-age cannot buy drink."

Six stores in Nottingham refused to sell to teenagers.

They were Aldi, Bulwell, Co-Op, Middleton Boulevard, Kwik Save, Bulwell, Morrisons, Bulwell, Tesco, Top Valley and Tesco Express, Valley Road.