A STOURPORT trader and licensee has been fined £600 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs after admitting selling alcohol to a 14-year-old girl.

Sarwan Singh Randhawa admitted the offence at Kidderminster magistrates court.

In a test purchase organised by Worcestershire County Council trading standards officers, at his R Daily Stores, 20 Queens Road, Walshes estate, Randhawa's son sold a bottle of Bacardi Breezer to the girl and failed to challenge her about her age.

The Licensing Act 1964 makes it illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18.

Steve Birch, head of trading standards, said: "We consider the sale of age-restricted products to young people to be a very serious matter.

"We will, happily, work with traders to advise them of their responsibilities and to encourage the use of proof of age cards.

"However, when we discover blatant non-compliance with this important piece of consumer protection legislation, we will not hesitate to take legal action, when it is appropriate."

Any member of the public aware of sales of alcohol to young people can notify trading standards on 01905 765373.