A QUARTER of pubs and bars in Yorkshire and Humberside targeted in a trading standards `sting', sold alcohol to children this summer, according to new Government figures.
Booze was sold to children in 25% of test purchases carried out at off-licences in the region as part of a national enforcement campaign.
Lower levels of alcohol sales were found in pubs and bars, with 20% of those targeted in the area supplying under-18s.
Wales had the worst record for on-licence sales, supplying to children in 48% of cases.
The East Midlands had the worst record for off-licence sales, at 31%.
Ministers said they were disappointed with results of the nationwide alcohol misuse enforcement campaign and warned the licensed trade that the Government expected "real improvements".
Across the country, some 1,346 `stings' were carried out at supermarkets.
Children were able to buy alcohol in 244 cases.
Kwik Save was the worst-performing chain, with a 26% failure rate.
It was followed by Somerfield with 22%.
Overall, supermarkets' failure rate was 18%.
In pubs and bars, one in three children was able to buy alcohol in test purchases, while in the whole off-licence trade, including supermarkets, the figure was 21%.
