Drop in illegal cigarette sales

The number of retailers caught out illegally selling cigarettes to under 18-year-olds in Reading has dropped, new figures reveal.

Undercover test purchases have been carried out in shops by trading standards officers across the town since 2008.

Reading Borough Council said that so far in 2009 just over 10% of shops targeted were caught flouting the law.

This is compared to more than 34% found selling cigarettes illegally in 2008.