Stoke-on-Trent City Council have issued a closure order to a store after thousands of illegal tobacco products were found.

In November, Victoria Eastern European Food, on 101 Church Street, Stoke was issued a three-month closure order after an investigation found illegal tobacco products hidden in the building.

The empty premises next door, 97 Church Street, was also being used to store illegal tobacco.

The council said that the stock had been transferred to open up another shop and bypass the original closure notice.

An inspection seized illegal products, including 7,023 packs of cigarettes, 401 packs of hand rolling tobacco and 484 illegal vapes.

A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: "When the original closure order was served at 101 Church Street, it was noted the windows of 97 Church Street were covered in bin bags and it was clear stock had been transferred to open another shop.

"This was also inspected and further illegal products were seized – 151 packs of cigarettes, six packs of hand rolling tobacco and a large quantity of unfit food, that was past their use by dates."

On Wednesday 28 January, the second premises was also served with a closure notice.

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The overall retail price of all products seized was £109,091.

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 tobacco in the city and I welcome this closure.

"Our Trading Standards team work hard to remove illegal substances off our streets to protect young people and ensure legal business is not undermined. This forms part of the city council's wider work to reclaim our streets and make our town centres more family friendly.

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

The 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 trading standards website here.