Young people are being used to clamp down on rogue traders

The age-restricted goods of tobacco, solvents, fireworks and spray paints are being targeted in the drive.

But the council believes underage drinking should be part of the drive due to ant-social behaviour problems.

Last month, the Lord Advocate Colin Boyd gave the green light to "sting" operations to catch rogue shopkeepers.

He said there were shopkeepers willing to turn a blind eye, and endanger young people.

The Lord Advocate concluded that test-purchasing arrangements were "safe, effective and fair" following a pilot scheme.

We are all too familiar with the anti-social behaviour and the associated health risks that goes along with underage drinking Robert O'Neill Glasgow City Council

Glasgow City Council's trading standards officers will work with young people to help identify irresponsible traders.

The council's Robert O'Neill said: "We all know the damage fireworks and graffiti cause in our communities.

"We are obviously pleased we have increased powers to tackle those who illegally sell to those under age.

"However, we are all too familiar with the anti-social behaviour and the associated health risks that goes along with underage drinking as well as the growing concerns of too many or our residents.

"We hope the Lord Advocate reconsiders his decision and includes alcohol in the test-purchasing list."

Traders' concerns

The test purchasing scheme was piloted in 2002 in four Scottish local authorities - Edinburgh, Moray, Stirling and South Ayrshire.

Speaking earlier this year, the Lord Advocate said the safety of children taking part in the scheme was paramount.

"It is vital that young people are protected from those who are willing to break the law for profit by selling age-restricted goods to children and young people," he said.

The Lord Advocate said he has asked officials at the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service to look into the issues around test-purchasing of alcohol by young people.

But traders' leaders have argued that sting operations could push honest traders into "enforced errors of judgement" over customers' ages.