STAFF at two premises in the Cotswolds have been fined after selling alcohol to a youngster who has just turned 16.

Gloucestershire Police carried out test purchases at several premises in the district and all passed apart from The Tunnel House Inn in Coates and The New Inn Hotel, Lechlade.

The test purchases took place on January,23 and involved the youngster entering each store and attempting to buy alcohol.

The staff member at the pubs who illegally sold the alcohol was interviewed and issued with a £90 penalty notice.

Sergeant Garrett Gloyn of South Cotswolds Safer Community Team said: “I will be writing to the landlords at each of the venues that passed and thanking them for their diligence. Stores that sell alcohol have clear duties under the Licensing Act. Where stores failed, I will also be in touch with the relevant landlords to hear their strategy to rectify the situation. If they don’t improve their record they could lose their Licence to sell Alcohol.”

The child that entered the venues that were being tested was accompanied by two officers in plain clothes, who observed their attempt to buy alcohol.

Penalties for failing a test can include a fine of up to £5,000, prosecution and revocation of the premise's licence to sell alcohol.

Colesbourne Filling Station, The Old George Inn, in South Cerney and Cirencester pubs The Golden Farm and The Brewers Arms failed test purchases in December.

They were retested in the latest round of test purchases and passed this time.

Other premises which passed are the Beeches Stores, in Cirencester, The Riverside in Lechlade and the Eight Bells and Malborough Arms in Fairford.