CONCERNS over shopkeepers selling alcohol to underage residents have been raised following a recent Trading Standards operation.

During the Worcestershire County Council investigation, young volunteers accompanied by Trading Standards officers tried to buy alcohol in six shops around Redditch that were identified as potential problem premises.

Out of the shops visited, two sold alcohol to the underage volunteers, raising concerns that the message still does not seem to be getting through to the county's retailers.

Operations manager Simon Wilkes said: "Although only one in three of the traders sold alcohol to the underage volunteers, this is still not good enough."

He added: "It is simply not acceptable to sell alcohol to under 18s and it is the licensee's responsibility to ensure his staff are aware of the law."