Bags of illegal vapes and tobacco have been seized from shops in Haslingden and Bacup.

With the help from Trading Standards, Rossendale police conducted a test purchase operation on Wednesday (November 22).

Officers were disappointed with the results and two stores failed. Both shops had their vape and tobacco items seized.

Follow up action will be taken by Trading Standards.

A police spokesperson said: “Today officers from Rossendale assisted our colleagues from Lancashire Trading Standards who conducted a purchase operation for sales of vapes and tobacco products at stores within the Rossendale area.

"This included visits to premises in the Haslingden and Bacup areas who we suspected were involved in the supply of illegal vapes and tobacco to the wider community, many of which are children.

“The results were disappointing with two stores found to be selling these products. Both of the stores had vapes and tobacco products seized.

"Follow up action will be taken by Trading Standards in relation to the failure of the stores.

“We will continue to work in conjunction with our partners in Trading Standards to clamp down on those businesses who sell vapes to children- which is illegal and is linked to getting the younger members of our community hooked on nicotine.

"The illegal vapes and Tobacco industry also has its links with other forms of criminality which we wont sit by and idly accept in Rossendale."