A TOTAL of eight off licences refused to sell alcohol to under-age test purchasers in Darwen.

A team of officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council’s public protection department and police led an operation to ensure under-18s are not being served alcohol.

The premises were spread across Darwen with 10 off licences visited in total.

At each of the eight premises shop staff stuck to their Challenge 25 policy and requested that the volunteer provided proof of age.

The other two shops are now under investigation.

Cllr Jane Oates, deputy executive member for environment, said: "It was great to see so many shops asking for proof of age, which is exactly what we want to see happening in licensed premises across the borough.

"Our message to the minority of shops who don’t ask for proof of age is – ‘we will catch you, is it worth risking your licence?’"

Reports should be made to Citizens Advice consumer helpline 03454 040506.