Three premises in the Abingdon area failed an alcohol test purchasing operation.

The Saturday operation saw underage teenage volunteers, accompanied by undercover licensing officers, entering licensed premises and off-licences and attempt to buy alcohol.

Three out of the five premises failed the operation.

Staff at both the Co-operative Store, in Wootton, and Budgens, in Northcourt Road, sold a bottle of wine to someone underage and were issued with £80 fixed penalty notices.

At the Crown and Thistle pub, Abingdon, a member of staff sold two bottles of Corona. Police said they had since agreed to work closely with the licensing department and the neighbourhood policing team to ensure correct processes were followed in future.

Thames Valley Police Licensing Officer, Tony Cope, said: “We asked local residents if they had any concerns and they said they were worried about children drinking underage, so we carried out this test purchasing operation.

“We will continue to carry out these operations throughout Oxfordshire to ensure that proper procedures are in place and meet the needs of local residents.

"We will then help these premises to ensure that all members of staff are trained correctly.

“If a licensed premise fails these operations three times, we then consider reviewing their licence and it can be revoked.”