Selling alcohol to children is illegal and will not be tolerated warned Home Office Minister Paul Goggins, as he announced that more than 5,500 sting operations will take place in the run-up to Christmas.

Under age volunteers, under the supervision of Trading Standards officers, will try to buy alcohol as part of the biggest ever national crackdown on rogue licensees and drunken loutishness.

Trading Standards officers have been awarded £350,000 of Home Office funding to clamp-down on rogue retailers as part of the £2.5 million blitz on alcohol fuelled disorder.

There are tough penalties for those caught selling alcohol to children. These are:

* £80 fixed penalty notice for bar and shop staff who make the sale;

* £1,000 fine, increasing to £5,000 from 24 November, for licensees on conviction; and,

* licences could be suspended, altered or revoked.

Under age young people who attempt to buy alcohol are also breaking the law and face stiff sanctions:

* £50 fixed penalty notice; and,

* up to £1,000 fine on conviction.

In a stark warning to retailers and licensees, Mr Goggins said:

"Selling alcohol to under-18s is not only irresponsible it is a criminal offence. Those caught breaking the law must take responsibility for their actions and face the consequences.

"We are conducting 5,500 test purchase operations as part of our biggest ever blitz on alcohol-fuelled disorder. Shopkeepers and licensees can expect an undercover visit from trading standards and police over the festive period.

"Sixty per cent of shops and supermarkets failed in a sting operation carried out by Nottingham police last week. Ten £80 fixed penalty notices were handed out to shop staff and shop managers have been reprimanded by police.

"Forty per cent of supermarkets, shops, pubs and clubs sold booze to kids during last summer's 909 sting operations that took place in twenty five towns. These failure rates are unacceptable and too high. My message to retailers and licensees is clear - get your house in order and stop selling alcohol to kids under 18."

Ron Gainsford, Trading Standards Institute Chief Executive, said:

"Combating the illegal sale of alcohol to young people is one of the top priorities for trading standards services across the country. The extra funding from the Home Office will allow many more test purchases to be made using our under age volunteers. Retailers who flout the law can expect to be dealt with severely.

"We want to help retailers get this right but there is no excuse for selling to under age youngsters. Retailers must ensure that they always ask to see a PASS approved proof of age card."