Two shops sold cigarettes and e-cigarettes to children during a trading standards operation.

In Rossendale, officers conducted an operation with Trading Standards using teenagers who have volunteered to make test purchases.

Eight off-licences were visited throughout the borough with two failing by selling cigarettes and e-cigarettes, but no alcohol was sold.

Trading Standards will be following up the prosecutions.

This comes following another test purchasing operation in December, when police in Rossendale alongside Trading Standards found two premises selling alcohol and e-cigarettes to children, both of which have subsequently been prosecuted.

A spokesperson for the police said: “The sale of alcohol, cigarettes and E-Cigs to children are concerns regularly raised to the local policing team and is something that we will again look to target with Trading Standards in the future.

“If you are aware of any off-licences making underage sales these can be reported to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on 0345 404 0506 or tsgeneralmail@lancashire.gov.uk.

“Or, anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”

Join the Lancashire Telegraph's dedicated crime and court Facebook group here to see the biggest stories from our team of reporters.

Want the latest news sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our free newsletter bulletin service here to receive daily emails from the Lancashire Telegraph.

Sign up for a digital subscription to enjoy unlimited access to Lancashire Telegraph here - plus plenty of other brilliant benefits.