A "large quantity" of vapes and counterfeit cigarettes have been seized from three shops within Tidworth and Ludgershall.

It comes after a Journal investigation led to Trading Standards seizing more than a thousand illegal vapes from two shops in the centre of Salisbury. 

Read more: Salisbury Journal uncovers illegal sales in vape trade

Police officers were visiting a number of shops in Amesbury, Tidworth, and Ludgershall alongside Trading Standards, initially carrying out checks where knives or other "bladed articles" are sold as part of a Wiltshire Police operation. .

The police posted on Facebook to say that as a result of the checks, it had become clear that many premises were selling illegal vapes which did not meet government or safety criteria. 

Trading Standards, in the presence of officers, then seized a large quantity of vapes and counterfeit cigarettes from three shops within Tidworth and Ludgershall areas.