GARAGES have been told to tighten up working practices after trading standards officers revealed children as young as 11 could buy petrol.

Five out of six Middlesbrough garages that were visited by children aged 11 and 12 allowed them to take petrol from the pumps, even though they were not accompanied.

Two garages allowed a child to buy petrol without asking their age while at another, even though the child was known to be underage, he was able to obtain a container of petrol.

Trading standards officers plan to repeat the exercise in the near future and any garages caught out will be prosecuted. Any garage selling petrol to children is breaching the terms of its licence.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for law and order, said: "We have found a very worrying situation here.

"It appears it is far too easy for young people to get their hands on petrol and it is time for the trade to tighten up its safety procedures.

"Allowing young people access to petrol is serious enough at any time. In the run-up to November 5, and with the possibility of industrial action in the fire service, it is difficult to think of anything more negligent or irresponsible.

"We will be following up this survey and must warn garages that if we find similar carelessness, they will face prosecution.

"To have a situation where young people who are clearly unaccompanied by an adult being allowed to pour petrol into a can and walk off with it is not acceptable.

"All the garages involved need to look very closely at their security arrangements."

All the garages in the town have been told that they must review their practices and give officials details of how they plan to tackle the problem.