RETAILERS tackling the risk of selling alcohol and cigarettes to underage people are being helped by a trading standards training scheme.

Believed to be the first in the country, Sandwell Council’s ‘Responsible Business Scheme’ is helping shops and their staff avoid the offence in the first place.

More than 20 shops have already signed up, including Quality Convenience Store in Rowley Regis and Cradley Heath’s MGB News Ltd and Samras.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, cabinet member for public health and protection, said: “We recognise that the vast majority of businesses want to comply with the law in order to trade fairly and successfully and at the same time make a positive contribution to their local community.

“Even before the launch of the scheme, 23 retailers have already signed up and many more are waiting to join, showing the popularity of the scheme.”

Last year, the council’s trading standards carried out 82 undercover test purchases, with 32 per cent of shops selling an age-restricted product to a young person.

Cllr Costigan added: “All the offending shops were subject to tough enforcement action. I would urge retailers to join the scheme and avoid being one of the offending businesses.”

Anyone interested in joining the scheme, which is open to shops from Sandwell and outside the borough, should call Sandwell Trading Standards on 0121 569 6584, or email trading_standards@sandwell.gov.uk.