Police today named and shamed more shops where staff sold alcohol to a child.

For the second time in three weeks, police have asked the Leicester Mercury to show the public the shops which failed a school holiday sting operation last month.

The six – in Leicester city centre – were all prepared to sell alcohol to a 15-year-old boy, who was under covert police supervision at all times.

Pc Jon Webb, of city police's violence and disorder team, said: "It genuinely shocked officers that so many off-licences in the city centre were willing to sell alcohol to the underage youngster without asking for identification at a time when they should have been on alert due to it being the school holidays.

"It was also bitterly disappointing as we have been doing so much work with licensees to remind them of their responsibilities and warn them of the consequences of supplying alcohol to children."

In each case the shop assistants failed to ask for identification and were ready to go ahead with the sale. They were each ordered to pay an £80 fine.

The owners or licensees have all been warned that further breaches of the law could result in their licences being taken away.

Three other shops, also in the city centre, cannot be named today because of ongoing legal issues.

Police said they would identify them in due course.

The owner of HMV Stores, in Granby Street, apologised and admitted his staff had made a mistake.

The man, who asked not to be named, said: "We don't want to serve anyone who is underage but on this occasion we made a mistake. I've said to the police in the past 'come and sit with us and see how many people we turn away because they don't have any identification'.

"We have put a lot of money into this business.

"It's our livelihood and we do not want to lose it so we will be much better in the future."

One of the shopkeepers who passed the test backed the police campaign.

Arvin Patel, owner of Chrystal News, in Charles Street, said: "It's very important shops do not sell alcohol to children and we support what the police are doing here.

"All shopkeepers should look at what has happened here and learn from it."

Dover Street resident Marie Toner, 34, said: "I know it's not all down to the shops because kids can get alcohol from home or get an adult to buy it for them.

"However, we see the consequences of underage drinking all the time and at least some of the alcohol comes from shops like these ones that have failed these tests.

"Shops shouldn't be allowed to sell alcohol if they can't stick to the law."

Some of the premises now face a review of their licence before the city council's licensing committee.

The operations are part of an ongoing campaign funded by the Home Office to tackle underage drinking and related anti-social behaviour.

There are a total of 631 licensed premises across Leicester.