POLICE and trading standards officers raided a Southend shop which they believed to be selling cigarettes to underage youngsters. 

Specialist children and young persons officers, from the Southend Community Policing Team, joined Southend Trading Standards on the raid yesterday. 

During the search of the as yet un-named store a haul of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco was seized.

Such products often contain harmful chemicals which can cause many health issues.

Officers also found a large wooden baseball bat behind the shop counter.

It has been signed over to police to be destroyed. 

Southend Trading Standards is now "looking to take the appropriate action against the shop owner".