Shops 'sell knives' to children

New tests are also planned for internet retailers

Nearly one in five shops in the capital - including high street chains - sold knives to children in recent tests, trading standards officers revealed.

Youngsters were able to buy weapons 148 times out of 799 test purchases, which officials said was a lower figure than in previous tests.

A third of sales were made at "well known chains" and in one instance a 14-year-old was sold a machete.

A three-month campaign will now target sales of weapons on the internet.

In 2008, 22 teenagers died in London from stab wounds.