An investigation by the Evening Advertiser has revealed the ease with which alcohol and cigarettes can be bought by underage teenagers in Swindon.

The newspaper put local businesses to the test by sending out two 15-year-old volunteers who managed to buy two bottles of alcopops, two packets of cigarettes and a knife in less than an hour.

Editor Mark Waldron said: "It was prompted by a story that we did the week before about the local council's trading standards department, which held a seminar for local shop keepers explaining what their responsibilities are - and giving them helpful tips on how to deal with this problem.

"We did a quick one hour survey with the girls.

"We're not completely surprised by the results as this sort of thing does happen on a day-to-day basis.

"We decided not to name and shame the shops as we only picked six or seven so we thought it a bit unfair.

"But trading standards are aware of the problem and this survey confirms their fears. They are beginning a crackdown now as the school holidays begin."

The findings have been handed to the trading standards department by the Advertiser.

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