AN UNDER-AGE boy has been able to buy fireworks from Tesco in Weymouth.

In an investigation by the Dorset Echo, two 16-year-old boys went in search of fireworks, despite the legal age for buying them being 18.

And Khaleel Graham found the one place that handed them over without asking for identification was the supermarket in St Thomas Street, Weymouth.

Khaleel, from Portland, and his friend, Martyn Jones from Wyke Regis, visited all the major supermarkets and some smaller shops which sell fireworks in Weymouth and Dorchester and were refused everywhere else.

Many places operated a ‘Challenge 25’ policy whereby if they believe you look under 25 you are asked for identification to prove if you are 18 or older.

In Weymouth, the Rock and Fudge shop, Martin’s in Littlemoor, McColl’s in Wyke, Morrisons and Asda all asked for identification and refused to sell any fireworks.

In Dorchester the same result was found at the Tesco supermarket in Weymouth Avenue and the One Stop in Kings Road.

After we told the manager of the Weymouth Tesco that Khaleel was sold the fireworks she said anyone who looks under 25 should be asked for identification and thanked the newspaper for informing her.

Khaleel bought a selection box of 18 fireworks for £6.99 which has ‘Not for sale to under-18s’ written on its packaging.

At the Tesco store where he bought them, the cabinet where the fireworks are kept had a poster stuck to it that reads: ‘It is illegal to sell adult fireworks to anyone under the age of 18’.

After being informed of the sale, a Tesco spokeswoman said: “We take our responsibilities towards the sale of age-restricted items very seriously and operate a strict ‘Think 25’ alert at checkout. We are looking into this matter.”

The head of Weymouth and Portland police, Inspector Pete Meteau, said: “Certainly the police and fire brigade are extremely concerned at this time of year that fireworks are not supplied to people who are ineligible to buy them and endanger themselves and other people by being reckless.”

Inspector Meteau said the police will prosecute those who sell or provide fireworks to those who are under-age.

“This is not just about the safety of the general public but some young people can maim and seriously damage themselves.”