SHOPS and off-licences in Burnley have been praised by police for their vigilance when it comes to youngsters trying to buy alcohol.

On Wednesday evening, Neighbourhood Police Officers carried out a test purchase operation, sending a 15-year-old into the shops in the Queensgate area to try to buy alcohol.

At all eight, staff refused to serve the boy.

Police Community Support Officer Nigel Keates said: "The ongoing test purchasing exercises are undoubtedly proving successful with far fewer licences now willing to sell alcohol to youths.

"However, this doesn't mean that our work will cease.

"We will carry on doing these test purchase exercises in a bid to make sure retailers continue to keep up the good work."