A Spar shop in Walton has lost its liquor licence after being caught selling booze to children.

On two separate occasions Surrey Council Council's trading standards officers found staff at the store in Cottimore Lane willing to sell alcohol to minors acting as test purchasers.

South Walton's Safer Neighbourhood Team had received a number of complaints from the public complaining about a rise in antisocial behaviour in the area.

As a result Surrey Police and the county council gave evidence to a licensing hearing on October 22 at Esher Civic Hall which led to the shop's alcohol licence being revoked.

Elmbridge Inspector Paul Yearwood said: "I am very pleased with this result; it is a good decision for the local community. Antisocial behaviour in the St Johns area has been a problem for some time now.

"Residents told us that part of the problem was young people drinking and that they were obtaining their alcohol from the Spar shop in Cottimore Lane. We acted on this and Surrey County Council Trading Standards Department did a fantastic job providing the evidence to prosecute and then review their licence to sell alcohol.

"This shows that safer neighbourhood teams, working with partners, can be very effective tackling problems in communities. I am convinced that crime and disorder will reduce as a result of this decision.

"I also believe that this sends out a strong message to licensees, particularly off licences, that selling to underage children is wholly irresponsible and causes disorder in neighbourhoods. Such premises have no place in the neighbourhoods we all wish to live in."