SHOPPERS were given the chance yesterday to see how difficult it is for traders to gauge the age of young people at a Redcar supermarket.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's trading standards unit displayed six photos of people, each with the choice of four different ages, in a competition at Morrisons.

The aim was to raise awareness surrounding the sales of alcohol, cigarettes and fireworks to youngsters.

Last week, two teenage girls, helping trading standards officers determine compliance with Fireworks Safety Regulations 1997, targeted six premises but only one agreed to an under-age sale.

The council's cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Joyce Benbow, said: "After the disappointing sales for alcohol in the summer, when 50 per cent of sellers sold to the same two volunteers, it is pleasing to praise the majority of the trade for a change.

"Trading standards will, however, be carrying out further checks before Christmas."

The council's principal trading standards officer Howard Turton said: "Judging whether or not a young person is old enough to buy age-restricted goods, such as fireworks, can be difficult for a trader.

"Trading standards' message is to demand Proof of Age whenever a sale is attempted by a young person. Traders who requested Proof of Age in this exercise did not sell."