A POLICY of using children to discover if shopkeepers are selling cigarettes to underage smokers looks set to continue.

County Hall failed to catch any traders last year, but are determined to keep up the practice of using children to buy cigarettes.

Lancashire trading standards officers send out children aged between 11 and 13 about three times a year.

During the last 12 months, 33 shops were visited and every one of them refused to sell cigarettes to the youngsters.

Despite the lack of traders breaking the laws, County Hall chiefs are determined to keep using the practice.

Finance and general purpose chairman Chris Cheetham, said: "For once, no sales is good news. The county council's trading standards officers have a responsibility to monitor underage sales of cigarettes in Lancashire.

"Of course if we find traders willing to sell cigarettes to children under 16 then we will prosecute."

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