A TRADER has hit back at a report in a national newspaper which brands her a "dealer in death".

Jean South, 40, has hit out at a story in the Daily Mirror which claims she is involved in a murderous trade.

And Jean, who owns an army memorabilia shop in St Hubert's Road, Great Harwood, is planning to speak to her lawyer about the article.

The incensed business woman, who ran a stall on Accrington market for more than six years, said she is also writing to the Press Complaints Commission.

She said: "The Daily Mirror has made us look like irresponsible people who will sell knives to anyone who comes into our shop.

"I want to make it clear to people that what they are saying is just not true. We will not sell knives to everyone.

"Anyone under the age of 17 is not allowed in our shop and if we think someone is a dodgy character then we will reserve the right to deal with them." Jean went on: "Most of our customers are serious collectors or involved in the hunting and fishing scene.

"People who use knives to stab people get rid of the weapon as soon as possible.

"No-one in their right mind is going to spend a lot of money on one of our knives and then throw it away afterwards.

"In most cases, if somebody decides they are going to attack someone else they are going to use a kitchen knife or a carving knife and not the type of blades we sell."

Jean, who also sells replica guns, advertises in specialist magazines like 'Combat and

Survival' and 'Combat and Militaria'.

In an editorial, the Daily Mirror called for a ban on the trade in commando style knives.

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