ONCE was careless. Twice could mean a day in court.

That's the view of York trading standards chiefs, after "hit squads" caught more premises selling alcohol to under-age kids - including two pubs snared only days earlier in a separate sting operation.

The Red Lion, in Haxby, and the Six Bells, at Strensall, both sold booze to 15-year-old volunteers on December 18, nine days after the pair were first caught by undercover council and police officers.

City of York Council's trading standards department has been leading a month of tests on pubs, bars and off-licences, as they attempt to block alcohol sales to minors.

Last month, the Evening Press accompanied a team of officers as they took under-age volunteers for undercover tests to see whether pubs and bars would sell to them. They were some of the first tests since the new Licensing Act came into effect in November, passing responsibilities for overseeing the trade from magistrates to councils.

As well as the two pubs caught twice, the latest round of tests has targeted restaurants and off-licences, as well as pubs and bars.

Frankie&Bennys, in Stirling Road, Clifton Moor, York; the Co-op, at the Ryedale Centre, in Haxby; SSP UK Rail Ltd, at York Railway Station; the Ramada Jarvis, at Skelton; Shipton Road Stores, in York, and the Spar store, at Clifton, York, have all fallen foul of trading standards testers.

No one at the Red Lion was available to comment as the Evening Press was published. The Six Bells said they were unable to comment.

Matt Boxall, the council's principal trading standards officer, said: "We are in the process of writing to all the premises that didn't sell to give them a 'pat on the back' and acknowledge that they did the right thing in turning the youngsters away.

"We are reminding those businesses and their staff to remain vigilant, however, as there may still be serious consequences for serving to people under age.

"We have invited all of the people who did sell the alcohol, as well as the licence holders and owners of the businesses, to explain why the sales took place.

"We will consider these explanations very carefully. Where we believe it is appropriate, we will be prosecuting those responsible for the sales."

Updated: 10:17 Friday, January 06, 2006