Trading Standards has carried out fresh raids in Stoke-on-Trent - resulting in illegal tobacco and vapes worth £25,000 being seized.

Businesses on Tunstall High Street were searched by Trading Standards following the ban of single use vapes on 1 June.

A specialist tobacco detection dog was used in searches of four businesses and in total 20,000 cigarettes, 6.5k of hand rolling tobacco, 650 vapes and 22 tubs of shisha were seized.

Staffordshire Police was also in attendance at the raids in a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC, which is aimed at tackling the supply of illegal tobacco.

Cllr Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "Our Trading Standards officers continue to work to protect our communities and get these illegal products off our streets.

"Illegal tobacco and vapes often exploit vulnerable workers and undermine legitimate business.

"This work is part of the council's commitment to creating a cleaner, greener and safer city for all and you will face serious consequences if you choose to sell illegal products."

Tobacco detection dogs from Wagtails UK are increasingly being used in trading standards raids across the UK as part of Operation Cece.  

Stoke-on-Trent council says anyone who wants to report a similar issue to Trading Standards can call the Trading Standards Hotline 01782 238444 or visit stoke.gov.uk.