TWO Bargain Booze stores are having their licences reviewed today after being caught in a trading standards sting.

Off-licence branches at London Road, Oakhill, and Newcastle Street, in Burslem, were both caught selling alcohol to under 18s.

At the Oakhill branch, a shop assistant sold a bottle of wine to two girls, who were aged 17 and 13.

The employee – who had previously run a pub – was handed an £80 fixed-penalty notice.

At the Newcastle Street branch, two youngsters, aged 16 and 13, bought two bottles of alcopops. The shop assistant who sold the alcohol also received a fixed-penalty notice.

Now Staffordshire Police have ordered a review of the two shops' alcohol licences.

Sergeant David Wright, from Staffordshire Police, said: "There should be a clear warning that a further appearance at a licence review is likely to see the revocation of the licences."

Members of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's licensing sub-committee were due to discuss the reviews at a meeting later today.