Brighton and Hove City Council has warned businesses not to exploit children this Christmas.
Every year businesses employ hundreds of young people to help them cope with the extra workload over the festive season.
Now the council is telling the city's traders they face a £1,000 fine if they abuse the system.
Children as young as 13 can be employed to do simple jobs, from delivering the newspaper to stacking shelves and office work.
But there are strict rules governing the hours they are allowed to work and the registration of young people in the workforce.
Application forms for registering young people are available from the city council's education welfare office.
For further information, phone 293573 or email david.noble@brighton-hove.gov.uk
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