TEENAGERS are to be recruited in a bid to catch out newsagents who sell cigarettes to minors.

Halton Council has approved in principle the idea of taking on under-16s to check if the law banning tobacco sales to youngsters is being flouted.

The plan would involve a child, working in cahoots with the Consumer Protection office, going into the shop and trying to buy cigarettes.

Errant shopworkers and their employers could face fines of up to £2,500, if successfully prosecuted.

The approach is also going to be used to check on how stringently shopkeepers are applying the age limit on lottery tickets and scratchcards - with the council warning that evidence of rule breaking will be passed on to Camelot who could take away a shop's lottery terminal.

Consumer protection manager John Downes said of potential operatives: "We cannot pay them, but they will be looked after in terms of their meals and will receive a certificate to insert in their school record of achievement."

Parents who think one of their children might be interested in taking part can call Mr Downes on 0151-424 2061 extension 3164.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.