Four shops out of 18 sold cigarettes to under-16s

In an operation in Dumfries and Galloway, four out of 18 stores sold cigarettes to young volunteers.

Trading standards said they were concerned that the shops were prepared to sell tobacco products to under 16s, despite advance warnings.

All of those caught have been reported to the procurator fiscal.

Test purchases

Prior to the latest compliance checks, letters and guidance leaflets were sent out to all retailers who were earmarked to be subjected to test purchases.

The retailers were caught by young volunteers from local schools which have signed up to be part of the enforcement campaign.

The pupils are generally 18 months younger than the age needed to buy the products involved in the test purchases.

Trading standards officers said the programme of compliance checks would continue.