COMMUNITIES in the vicinity of two off-licence stores which lost their liquor permits will continue to be able to buy alcohol from the shops.

The General Dealers Store in Low Willington and Spar shop in Wolsingham have changed proprietors since police swooped on previous owners selling booze to underage drinkers.

Magistrates granted licences for the stores as the new owners were not connected with the sale of alcohol to minors.

Bill Jefferson, proprietor of the Low Willington store, opened his new premises months after a covert police operation proved the previous owner was selling alcohol to under 18s.

He said: "I am totally against selling drink and cigarettes to kids. You just don't do it."

The Wolsingham Spar shop licence has been transferred to a new manager since a court case last week banned the previous proprietor from selling alcohol.

Assistant manager Helen Bicknell said: "We want our customers to know that we can still sell alcohol as we have a licence."

Sgt Alistair Melville, of Bishop Auckland Polic,e said: "We had no objections to the transfers taking place. Hopefully they (shops) will be run correctly and effectively within the laws as they stand at the present time.

"The current licence holders were not related to the two whose licences were revoked. As far as we are concerned they are of good reputation."

The police are continuing their campaign to crackdown on traders selling alcohol to underage youths