COUNCILLORS are to review a shop's licence for the sale of alcohol after one of its staff was prosecuted for selling drink to two 14-year-olds.

Trading standards officers have asked Hartlepool Borough Council's Licensing Act sub-committee to carry out the review on Chatham Stores, in the town's Chatham Road.

The sub-committee will meet on Friday, and has the option to suspend or revoke the licence.

Trading standards officials conducted a covert test purchase at the shop on March 31.

Two children, aged 14, bought alcoholic drinks without being challenged or asked for proof of age.

On October 16, shop assistant Shaheed Nadeem was fined £100 and ordered to pay £251.40 costs for the offence.

Sergeant Anthony Green, Cleveland Police's licensing sergeant for Hartlepool, said Chatham Stores continued to have an adverse impact on the surrounding area because of alcohol sales to under-age children.

He added: "This has a harmful impact on the local environment and promotes disorder in the immediate area.

"Additional patrols have been mounted, but with limited success."

The Northern Echo was last night unable to contact the store's licence holder and designated premises supervisor, Naeem Khan.