A BLITZ on the sale of aerosol spray paint cans to children is being stepped up in West Yorkshire.

Trading standards officers want to stamp out graffiti across the county.

A report said spending on graffiti removal cost more than £1m countywide and combating illegal sales would help to reduce this figure.

Talks in schools, discussions with traders and publicity in newspapers and magazines are being planned for next year.

A meeting of West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee - which runs trading standards - yesterday heard that a new enforcement programme was being proposed to prevent illegal sales.

The sale of aerosol paint to anyone aged under 16 was banned on March 31 last year as part of the Anti- Social Behaviour Act 2003.

In May last year a campaign used a volunteer to get aerosol paint sold to a 14-year-old.

Some 70% of retailers sold the paint, against guidelines.

Action against traders responsible for illegal sales will be publicised.