Bradford pubs and off-licences who sell booze to youngsters will be targeted in the biggest-ever crackdown on rogue licensees.

More than 600 "sting" operations are planned in Yorkshire and Humberside as part of a nationwide clampdown.

Under-age volunteers, supervised by Trading Standards officers, will be sent to try to buy alcohol from pubs and shops suspected of selling to under 18s.

As part of the crackdown, off-licences caught selling alcohol to children can face:

l an £80 fixed penalty notice for any bar or shop who makes a sale of alcohol to someone under-18

l a £1,000 fine, increasing to £5,000 from November 24, for licensees on conviction

l licences being suspended, altered or revoked.

The drive will also seek to punish youngsters who are caught trying to buy booze, who face fixed penalty notices of £50 and up to a £1,000 fine on conviction.

Home Office minister Paul Goggins said: "My message to retailers and licensees is clear, get your house in order and stop selling alcohol to under 18s.

"Selling alcohol to under 18s is not only irresponsible, it is a criminal offence. Those caught breaking the law must take responsibility for their actions and face the consequences.''

The crackdown is launched as hundreds of pubs and bars across the district begin legally serving alcohol for longer with the introduction of new extended opening hours licences.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards last year received 47 complaints regarding the illegal sale of alcohol to youngsters from retailers, resulting in 27 separate prosecutions. However this latest crackdown will include pubs as well.

Simon Frow, regional representative for Yorkshire and Humber Trading Standards, said: "We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with our police colleagues throughout the region again.

"We see this joint working as crucial to dealing with the problem of underage drinking."

Trading Standards also reminded the public that it is an offence for adults to purchase alcohol for somebody under 18.

In the run up to Christmas last year, Bradford police launched a campaign called Know Your Limit, which saw officers carrying out further visits to on and off-licences to ensure they were not supplying drink to anyone under age and were managing their premises properly.