I REFER to the letter (Letters - June 12) regarding the refusal by a Tesco cashier to sell alcohol to the anonymous author. Trading Standards really does send investigators to shops to test whether retailers are complying with the law on the sale of alc

I REFER to the letter (Letters - June 12) regarding the refusal by a Tesco cashier to sell alcohol to the anonymous author.

Trading Standards really does send investigators to shops to test whether retailers are complying with the law on the sale of alcohol.

Any retailer found to be selling alcohol to an under-age person, or to a person over 18 who then passes it on to an under age person, is liable to a severe penalty.

This is usually a substantial fine and can apply not only to the store owner, but also the individual employee who made the sale, who may then also face instant dismissal.

Unfortunately it is a fact that some adults who should know better do buy alcohol and then sell or give it to persons under 18.

So in this case neither Tesco nor the individual cashier were being unfriendly.

They were, understandably, erring on the side of caution, and I think that they and all other retailers who behave similarly should be commended for doing so.

ALLAN SIBLEY

March