Underage buying stings have caught five off-licences in Ashford and Stanwell selling alcohol to a teenager.

Earlier this month, a team of Surrey Police and trading standards officers ran an undercover operation to test whether liquor sellers were adhering to the law.

A 16-year-old volunteer entered 12 stores in Ashford and Stanwell and asked to buy alcohol.

Worryingly, five of the 12 sold the booze.

Three sellers in Stanford and one in Ashford were given £80 fines.

The fifth is now under investigation by trading standards officers.

The tests are the latest in more than 70 sting operations carried out across Epsom, Ewell, Elmbridge and Spelthorne in the past year, with a fifth guilty of selling to minors.

Sergeant Claire Sambourne said there was no excuse for selling alcohol to children.

"There is a clear link between alcohol and antisocial behaviour which the Surrey Together team is tackling," Sgt Sambourne said.

"The project is making a real impact on underage sales across Surrey with the number of test purchases and shop visits increasing dramatically since the launch of the project in September 2005.

"The message to retailers is simple. They should be asking young customers for ID in the form of a driving licence or passport.

"No ID then no sale."

She urged anyone who suspected a shop was selling alcohol to under 18s to contact trading standards.

The four Surrey Together teams are made up of a police sergeant and three police community support officers along with a trading standards officer and a youth development adviser working to halt antisocial behaviour, often before it begins.

During the last year they have carried out 50 advice visits and more than 70 test purchases.

As well as working with retailers to end alcohol, cigarette and other age-restricted sales to children, the teams give practical advice and visible reassurance to all members of the community and improve the image of young people.