A WIRRAL off-licence has been banned from selling alcohol following a string of allegations including the sale of illicit booze.

The Ten O’Clock Shop in Poulton Road, Wallasey, had its licence revoked by councillors who heard it had been one of 17 stores across the borough raided by police in July.

The raids also involved Wirral Trading Standards, Revenue and Customs and the UK Border Agency and were the culmination of a 12-month investigation into the alleged sale of duty-diverted booze and under-age sales.

Around £300,000 cash was also seized across the 17 targeted shops as a result of the operation.

Ten O'Clock Shop Owner Sinnathamby Subenthiran denies the allegations.

Around 200 bottles of illicit alcohol - including vodka and whisky - were seized at the shop last October and 42 cases of wine in July.

The issue came before Wirral Council licensing committee, which was told by Wirral Trading Standards’ Andrew Bushell how 1,800 cigarettes and 40 cigars were confiscated in July of last year on suspicion of unlawful activity.

Ness Thavanessan, representing Mr Subenthiran, said his client was “very serious about promoting the licensing objectives and is implementing a Challenge 25 policy.”

But police licensing sergeant Pete Jenkins claimed: “We have the evidence that this premises is the catalyst for criminal activity and we believe Mr Subenthiran is heavily involved in bringing illicit alcohol into the area.

"In our opinion, there are no conditions that will prevent this carrying on and we would call for an immediate revocation of the shop’s licence.”

Meanwhile, the police investigation into the allegations is continuing The committee heard Mr Subenthiran is also facing a separate accusation of employing illegal immigrants, which he strongly denies.

Councillors were told that over the last 12 months, seven people had been arrested at the Ten O’Clock Shop on suspicion of illegal working.

Mr Subenthiran said those arrested had been visiting friends and were not his employees.

He now has 21 days to appeal the decision.