AN Evesham business is facing tough action after it was found to be selling counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes and tobacco.

Worcestershire Regulatory Services Trading Standards applied to Wychavon District Council to review the premise licence at Evesham Mini Mart following their discovery.

The committee gave the business owner a chance to come and explain his position along with a friend and officers involved with investigating the issues also presented their findings.

They were satisfied the application for a review of the premise licence at Evesham Mini Mart had been brought forward on legitimate grounds and that the licensing objectives, in particular the prevention of crime and disorder, the protection of public safety and the protection of children from harm were being seriously undermined and therefore decided to revoke the licence.

After hearing the evidence the licensing sub-committee decided to revoke the licence at the mini mart.

Councillor David Brotheridge, chairman of the licensing sub-committee at Wychavon, said: "We heard from officers the premises had been raided both by Trading Standards and the police on two occasions where they found large quantities of counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes and tobacco.

"We also heard that test purchases were carried out where these products were offered to undercover purchasers.

"The committee found this to be unacceptable, dangerous and moved to revoke their licence to protect the public."

The applicant has 21 days to appeal against the decision to the magistrate's court and criminal investigations are continuing outside of the licensing arrangements.