A major supermarket has been blasted by police for being "dismissive of the law" after it was again caught selling alcohol to under-age teenagers.

Somerfield in London Road, Brighton, faces losing its licence for three months after a series of police and trading standards stings uncovered alcohol was being sold to under-18s.

Police said the branch had a record of illegal alcohol sales while Brighton and Hove City Council criticised the chain for inflexibly imposing corporate procedures.

Concern has been raised that youth crime and antisocial behaviour in the area is being fuelled by alcohol which could come from the store.

Somerfield had its licence suspended for a month in February after falling foul of the law.

But just a few months after regaining its right to sell alcohol, the branch failed another two test purchases in June when a 16-year-old was sold two bottles of alcohol.

Following a day of training from trading standards officers another test purchase took place on July 12, when the sale was refused.

But in another sting on November 1, three members of staff, including the licence holder, failed to stop a teenager buying a bottle of whisky.

Police are now asking for the licence to be revoked for three months.

Superintendent Graham Bartlett, of Sussex Police, said: "Somerfield has shown itself to be totally dismissive of the law.

"It has habitually failed test purchases despite training being given to staff.

"In the most recent case a personal licence holder has shown the youth where they could select the alcohol.

"I am aware suspensions are not punishments, but it seems this period is required to allow Somerfield to fundamentally review it processes, competencies and staffing to enable it to abide by the law.

"Alcohol-related youth disorder is a high priority for the police and the local authority and it is unfortunately particularly prevalent around this premises."

At a meeting in August, council trading standards officers found that the store had not taken account of the proximity of The Level, a known area where youths congregate.

The licence review will be discussed by the council's licensing committee on December 3.