AN undercover survey by trading standards officers has revealed more than one-in-four Wiltshire traders sold either knives or cigarettes to underage teenagers.

During the recent February half term Wiltshire County Council's trading standards department, with the assistance of a group of 15 and 16 year old volunteers, visited 124 premises to check compliance with recent changes in legislation.

On October 1 2007 the Government changed the legal age from 16 to 18 for those persons wishing to purchase cigarette products and offensive weapons (including knives).

35 retailers sold cigarettes or an offensive weapon to the young people. Of the 59 premises visited for offensive weapons, 18 sold them without requesting identification or proof of age. 65 premises were visited for cigarettes with 17 making a sale to the young volunteers.

Offensive weapons purchased included kitchen knives, replacement blades and in one instance an axe.

Sales throughout the week were made by various retailers including supermarkets, department stores, petrol stations, hardware shops and independent retailers.

Further investigations are now being carried out with the 35 retailers and the individual employees who sold these age restricted items.

Steve Clover, Wiltshire County Council's trading standards manager, said: "We are extremely disappointed with these results. Following a change in the laws governing the sales of offensive weapons and cigarettes we mounted an extensive campaign to inform and advise the retail trade in Wiltshire, including the distribution of an updated advice pack to all known retailers of such products.

"What is even more disappointing is that this latest test purchasing campaign follows on the back of a similar project in November 2006 when we found more than one in three of the retailers tested selling knives to underage teenagers."