A SHOPKEEPER from Nelson faces a bill of £1,350 after magistrates convicted him of selling cigarettes to a 13-year-old child.

Aatif Waris pleaded guilty to selling the cigarettes in February from his shop, T A Off Licence, Livingstone Walk, Brierfield,.

Magistrates heard how Trading Standards officers sent a 13-year-old child into his premises to see if they could buy cigarettes during a routine test purchase exercise.

The court heard that it was his brother who carried out the sale after failing to verify the child's age or ask for ID. Mr Waris was on the premises at the time.

Trading Standards officers also saw that Mr Waris failed to display the notice required by law warning that it is illegal to sell tobacco products to under 16s.

He received a fine of £750 for the underage sale, £500 for failing to display the statutory notice and £100 prosecution costs.

Under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 it is an offence to sell cigarettes to a person under the age of 16.

David Johnnie, Lancashire Trading Standards' lead officer for age-restricted sales, said: "This service is committed to working with those businesses that genuinely want to comply with the law.

"Mr Waris was initially invited to attend our age restricted products course, which is unique in offering help and assistance to prevent sales of products such as alcohol and cigarettes to children. He declined the invitation; therefore the matter was put before the court.

"With the minimum age to buy cigarettes increasing from 16 to 18 from October 1 this year, it is imperative that retailers seek appropriate forms of ID from customers who look underage.

"From October 1 we strongly encourage retailers to operate a 21 policy for the sale of all age restricted products by seeking proof of age if the customer does not look under 21."