TWO shops have been banned from selling alcohol after they were caught selling dodgy drinks and cigarettes.

Seven Sisters Off Licence and Tottenham Express flouted the rules which ensure only safe and legal goods are sold on high streets.

Haringey Council’s licencing committee and Trading Standards found hundreds of counterfeit Malboro cigarettes stashed away in boxes at the Seven Sisters store.

It was the second time fake items had been found there and the owner had already been warned.

At the Tottenham Express shop, officers discovered illicit tobacco hidden under the counter and a haul of alcohol which the store owner had not paid duty on. He claimed that the tobacco was only for personal use but this was dismissed.

Haringey Council cabinet member for environment Cllr Peray Ahmet said: “Both these stores deliberately flouted rules that are meant to ensure that people know where the products they are buying have come from and it is only right that we take tough action.

“We are committed to making Haringey a safer, healthier place and our Trading Standards teams will continue to work tirelessly carrying out checks on venues across the borough.”