SHOPOWNERS who sold alcohol to underage children in Shildon have agreed to impose measures so that they keep their licences to sell booze.

The Jubilee Fields Convenience Store, on Coronation Avenue, and the Premier Convenience Store, on Main Street, gained a reprieve.

The two shops had been caught out in police stings where teenage test purchasers were able to buy alcohol twice within a three month period.

Staff at the Premier store breached the law on Saturday, September 21 last year when a 16-year-old teenage girl bought a bottle of Pinot Grigio wine.

Then staff repeated the error when another teenager bought a bottle of Chardonnay wine on Friday, February 21.

The Jubilee Fields store staff also sold alcohol to an underage test buyer on the same dates.

Durham County Council’s statutory licensing sub-committee was asked to review the businesses licences today. (Friday, June 6)

However the traders and the council held talks and several conditions have been agreed between the parties.

The Premier store has agreed to restrictions including the running of a Challenge 25 scheme and CCTV must be fitted.

Anyone thought to be buying alcohol for underage drinkers must be refused by staff and reported to the police.

While the measures at the Jubilee Field store include the fitting of CCTV and incidents need to be reported in a log book.

They must also refuse to serve anyone believed to be buying alcohol for youngsters and they have to report them to the police.