An investigation by the Lincolnshire Echo exposing local traders illegally selling knives to under-16s may result in the prosecution of the offending stores.

Reporter Aleisha Scott visited seven shops with a 15-year-old boy who successfully managed to buy knives with 20cm blades in five shops.

The Echo has named and shamed the shops and has passed on its findings to Lincolnshire Police and trading standards, which are both conducting their own investigations.

The probe comes in the wake of 16-year-old Alan Pennell's conviction for murdering 14-year-old Luke Walmsley.

Pennell was 15 when he stabbed Luke through the heart with a 7cm flick-knife at Birkbeck School in North Somercotes.

The Echo conducted a similar investigation after the murder took place and found four out of the five shops it visisted then illegally sold knives to a child.

Deputy editor Richard Bowyer said: "We found it was quite easy for someone under 16 to buy a knife in the high street. After our first investigation the shops and trading standards said they would be clamping down.

"We revisited the stores to see if they'd tightened up and they hadn't. It's a massive public interest story - these are lethal weapons that could cause serious damage.

"The police and trading standards are deeply concerned this is still going on, particularly after the last investigation when trading standards warned shops to stick to the letter of the law.

"They haven't done that and it is more likely that prosecutions will take place."

Richard said police are currently looking at the information gathered by the Echo with a view to making prosecutions.

He also said the offending shops had all responded directly to the paper after it reported its findings.

He said: "They are all very angry and disappointed and have pledged to tighten up their procedures. We will be keeping an eye on the situation."

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