A ST Albans shopkeeper has been caught by trading standards selling alcohol to underage youngsters. The shop was one of six in Herts targeted in an undercover operation carried out across the county between the end of May and mid July. Volunteers aged 1

A ST Albans shopkeeper has been caught by trading standards selling alcohol to underage youngsters.

The shop was one of six in Herts targeted in an undercover operation carried out across the county between the end of May and mid July.

Volunteers aged 15 and 16 visited 10 targeted shops following complaints or intelligence pointing to underage sales taking place.

The St Albans shop was one of the six which sold alcohol to the underage youngsters.

Herts County Councillor Richard Smith, executive member for community safety, said: "It is very disappointing that some licensees are ignoring the law.

"Underage sales of alcohol are not something that we are prepared to tolerate. Anyone selling age-restricted goods should adopt a 'Challenge 21' policy - if a customer looks under 21 then they should be asked to prove they are 18."

Herts trading standards is investigating the circumstances of each of the offences and will consider imposing fixed penalty fines of £80 or prosecution where appropriate." The maximum fine the courts can impose is £5,000.