Eleven Preston and South Ribble shops tested in illegal vape sales crackdown
Eleven premises across Preston and South Ribble were tested on underage sales of alcohol and vapes. On Friday a test purchasing operation was conducted by Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing team and […]
Eleven premises across Preston and South Ribble were tested on underage sales of alcohol and vapes.
On Friday a test purchasing operation was conducted by Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing team and Lancashire County Council Trading Standards.
One premises failed to ask for ID and sold a vape to the underage volunteer. The shop in question is now being investigated – but police and the local authority have not named the shop at this stage.
Angela Lomax, Trading Standards manager at Lancashire County Council said: “This operation focused on intelligence about some of the most complained-about businesses in the county.”
Inspector Dave Byrne from Preston Police said: “We were pleased to see that during this operation, most of the shops that we visited were complying with the law, but we can’t become complacent.”
“Selling alcohol and vapes to children is not only against the law but can also put them at serious risk so we will continue to listen to community concerns and work alongside Trading Standards to tackle this issue.”
If you have concerns about age-restricted products being sold to young people, make a report via Citizens Consumer Advice Service on 0808 223 1133 or the Citizens Advice site.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/people-prepare-to-watch-a-movie-in-a-park-right-people-lying-down-in-a-montreal-park.jpg?id=60339223&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Watching a movie under the stars hits different — especially when it's free.</p><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal/15-montreal-parks-are-hosting-free-film-screenings-under-the-stars-this-summer" target="_blank">Cinéma sous les étoiles</a> is back for its 16th edition, bringing more than 40 free documentary screenings to <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/parks-in-montreal" target="_blank">parks across Montreal</a> from June 25 to August 30.</p><p>Organized by Funambules Médias, the summer festival will host screenings in over 20 public spaces, including Parc Molson, Parc Laurier, Parc des Faubourgs, and Place Shamrock. A few films will even be shown in Cowansville, Westmount, and Montreal West.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CukiKgwtljN/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c5b8854f-7097-417d-b2e8-7e8ff4a88df9" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CukiKgwtljN/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c5b8854f-7097-417d-b2e8-7e8ff4a88df9" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
</p>
</div>
</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>This year's lineup includes films like <em>No Other Land</em> (winner of Best Documentary at the Academy Awards), <em>Union</em> (about union organizing at Amazon), <em>Les perdants</em> (a critical look at Canada’s electoral system), and <em>Dahomey</em> by Mati Diop.</p><p>The festival opens June 25 at Théâtre de Verdure in Parc La Fontaine with <em>The Pickers</em>, a doc exploring the struggles of migrant farm workers in Europe.The films cover timely issues like social justice, the environment, labour rights, and systemic inequality. While most of the films are in French, several are in English and many include subtitles. Screenings begin at sunset and are often followed by discussions with filmmakers and invited guests.</p><p>Two special programming blocks are also planned: an Environment Week from July 14 to 20 and a short film competition from July 21 to 27, with $30,000 in prizes awarded at a closing event on August 5.</p><p>So grab a blanket, find a park near you, and get ready for a summer of thought-provoking flicks under the stars.</p><h3>Cinéma sous les étoiles</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Vj1pBMJeH/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
</div>
</div>
<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Vj1pBMJeH/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
</p>
</div>
</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>When: June 25 to August 30</p><p>Where: Multiple parks across Montreal</p><p>Price: Free</p><p>Accessibility: Wheelchair and stroller accessible outdoor sites</p><p><span></span>More info at <a href="https://cinemasouslesetoiles.org/" target="_blank">cinemasouslesetoiles.org</a></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Hasan Piker stand with Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong during a campaign rally for Hong on August 2, 2026, in…
