POLICE are warning landlords about the penalties of serving alcohol to children.

It follows the issue of £80 fixed penalty fines to pub staff in Middlesbrough.

A 15-year-old girl working with the police was served alcohol in the Brunton Arms, Stainton Way. The pub declined to comment.

A bar worker at The Coronation, in Acklam Road, was also fined. Owners Pathfinder Pubs said staff training was ongoing and the firm made sure workers followed rules.

Superintendent Steve Ashman, of Cleveland Police, said: "This is the first of many similar operations where we will use test purchasing or, if necessary, licence revocation to tackle licensed premises selling alcohol to underage people."