A STING operation co-ordinated by police saw more than a third of targeted pubs in South Lakeland sell to under age drinkers at the weekend.

Cumbria Constabulary sent 'test purchasers' into 26 pubs across the south of the county on Saturday (January 31) and Sunday and nine of those sold to minors.

Sellers were hit with immediate £90 fixed penalty fines.

Inspector Paul Latham, of Kendal Police, said: "It's quite clear cut and that number is shocking. It's surprising and disappointing to find so many places are willing to sell to people under age."

Three out of seven pubs targeted in Kendal sold to the force's test purchasers while one out of three from Milnthorpe, Arnside and Kirkby Lonsdale sold.

Failing the test across the Lakes and Ulverston area including Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside, were five pubs out of 16.

Cllr John McCreesh, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Trading Standards, said: "This result is just not acceptable.

"Businesses know the law and know they need to check ID. This should serve as a warning that offenders will be caught and will be penalised if they're caught selling alcohol or other age-restricted items to young people.

"Underage sales are a direct threat to young people, and can help create dangerous and damaging life-threatening habits."

Cumbria police send youngsters up to the age of 16 - most of which were around 15 - to pubs where there has been evidence of selling to minors.

They test whether sellers will challenge people who "clearly" look under age and those who sell to the test purchaser get an immediate fixed penalty of £90.

The supervisors of pubs who sold are asked to come to the police station where they are warned of the consequences and are able to talk about how to tackle the problem.

If the same licensed establishment sells twice in three months the force can serve it with an immediate closure order of 48 hours to 14 days and a licence review is automatically triggered.

Cumbria County Councillor Ian Stewart, responsible for Public Health, said: "It's disappointing that there is still so much alcohol sold to young people.

"The costs to everyone from alcohol-related illness is immense. The effects on young people is especially pronounced.

"It might not seem so at the time, but in five, 10, 15 years time the health bill will have to be paid."