Five Stoke-on-Trent shops have been issued with closure orders after over £50,000 of illegal vapes, cigarettes and tobacco were seized.

Easy Shop, UK Minimarket, American Candy Vape Shop and Mini Market, all in Longton, as well as Yasa Vape Shop in Tunstall, have been ordered to close by Stoke-on-Trent City Council's trading standards team after persistent illegal sales.

The city council explained that despite warnings, test purchases of counterfeit cigarettes were made, as well as sales made to children.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We will not tolerate the sale of illegal vapes and cigarettes to underage children in Stoke-on-Trent, and I welcome these closure orders.

"Removing these products keep young people safe, supports honest local traders and forms part of the city council's wider work to make our town centres family friendly and safe to live in.

"The message is clear – you will face serious consequences if you choose to sell products illegally."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has urged anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco, vapes and underage sales to contact Trading Standards on the hotline at 01782 238884 or visit the website here.