A HEREFORD shop has had its licence revoked following a full review.

The decision to revoke the licence from Zabka, on Eign Gate, was made by Herefordshire Council's regulatory sub committee after hearing evidence that illicit tobacco was found on the premises.

The same committee suspended the store's licence on an interim basis earlier this month but decided after hearing today's evidence that it should be revoked.

The committee heard that as a result of information received, a joint police and Herefordshire Council Trading Standards search warrant was executed at the shop on February 25.

Zardashit Karem Salh, the owner, was not in the shop at the time but three members of staff were present and illegal tobacco was found under the counter and hidden in two freezers within the premises.

Jim Mooney, Licensing & Harm Reduction Coordinator with West Mercia Police, told the committee that a total of 5,980 cigarettes were found.

Items seized from the shop are being examined further and a criminal investigation is ongoing.

Neil Coulson, a solicitor speaking on behalf of Mr Salh, said his client was unaware that illicit tobacco was being kept on the premises and that cigarettes were being sold.

He was a man of good character, he said, and had acted responsibly after the licence was suspended intially having removed all alcohol from the store.

But the committee said it had listened carefully to all representations made and had decided to revoke the licence.