TRADING Standards Officers have expressed their disappointment at the result of a local survey into the sale of age-restricted videos to children.

In a recent check, three local stores sold 18-rated videos to a 15-year-old girl, who was assisting the council's officers.

Councillor Alma Atherton, deputy chair of St Helens Council's Housing and Environmental Services Committee, said: "Previous surveys of adult-rated videos had, in the main, been encouraging with very few illegal sales. These latest results are a setback and traders need to be much more vigilant when selling age-restricted goods."

And council Consumer Protection Officer, Ken Glover, added: "Trading Standards carry out surveys into the sale of age-restricted products including tobacco, fireworks, lottery tickets and scratch cards, as well as age-related video films."

Anyone needing advice on the matter can contact St Helens Trading Standards on 01744 456302.

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