A 14-YEAR-OLD girl was sold alcohol by a 14-year-old boy at a Bournemouth off-licence.

The girl was carrying out a test purchase at a Bournemouth shop and bought a three-litre bottle of 7.5 per cent Frosty Jack's cider.

Dorset Police took the case to Bournemouth's licensing committee - and the Local Off Licence, in Windham Road, Springbourne, managed to avoid temporary closure.

Solicitor Julia Palmer acted for the shop and told the committee the supervising staff member at the time, Hasan Simsek, was no longer employed there.

She said the shop provided the only source of income for the owners, the Bulbul family, and that the run-up to the meeting had been a "harrowing and worrying time".

Cllr Ted Taylor said the sale put the shop in a "serious situation" - but the committee satisfied itself with stricter conditions including a ban on staff under 18 selling alcohol, even with permission from supervisors.

Sgt Richard Wilson from Bournemouth Police's licensing team said afterwards: "It was irresponsible for the 14-year-old to be in that position."

The committee heard two other cases.

Wallisdown News in Wallisdown Road had a 31-day ban imposed after the police report to the committee said: "Neither the licence holder or staff take their responsibilities seriously."

It sold to a 14-year-old boy then failed to produce its CCTV footage - and it also failed a test purchase in 2006. The meeting heard the shop takes £5,000 a week in alcohol sales.

Isbir (UK) Ltd of Wimborne Road had stricter conditions imposed after it sold to a 14-year-old boy.

The hearings follow a summertime police operation that targeted 20 off-licences.