A SHOPKEEPER who ignored warnings not to sell alcohol to underage youngsters has been slapped with a £2,230 fine.

Erkan Keser, who owns Rayleigh Food and Wine, admitted twice selling alcohol to teenagers younger than 18.

Southend Magistrates' Court fined him £750 for each breach of the Licensing Act, and ordered him to pay £730 court costs.

Essex County Council officers visited Mr Kezer at his shop, in High Street, Rayleigh, on October 9 last year, advising him against underage sales.

He was warned his business would be put to the test with an underage volunteer.

Then, on December 6, a 16-year-old boy bought four cans of lager without being asked for proof of his age.

Just eight days later, two bottles of alcopop were sold to the same youngster by a different member of staff.

Each time, the employee was given a fixed penalty notice of £80.

When Mr Kezer was interviewed on December 23, he claimed he had verbally trained his staff - but did not have any documents in relation to training, or a refused sales register.

He agreed more training should have taken place with staff.

County councillor Roger Walters, executive member for trading standards, warned traders risked losing their licence if they broke the law.

He said: "We are getting tough on traders who ignore our warnings on underage sales, and will not hesitate to seek prosecution if shops fail to ask for proof of age during test purchases.

"We will also seek licence reviews for repeat offenders.

"Underage drinking is a main cause of antisocial behaviour, and can also be damaging to the health of young people."