TWO shop assistants have been fined as part of an undercover police operation for selling alcohol to children.

Children aged 15 and 16 volunteering for the police operation tried to buy alcohol from four shops in Hastings and Bexhill.

Alcohol was sold to children at both Happy Shopper in Little Common Road, Bexhill, and Turners in High Street, Hastings. Both of the shop assistants involved were fined £90.

Easy Shop in Ninfield Road, Sidley, sold cigarettes with foreign labelling to one of the volunteers and is being dealt with by Trading Standards, police said.

Managers of shops that have sold alcohol to underage test purchasers are normally required to meet with local police and licensing officers and show they are tackling the problem.

The East Sussex licensing team can be contacted on 01273 470101 or eastsussex.licensing@sussex.pnn.police.uk.