A TESCO store in Witney, which could lose its licence to serve alcohol, sold wine to a 14-year-old last year.

New details about allegations against the Cogges Hill Road Tesco Express have emerged.

The store failed three test purchase checks by police in a row, in November 2011 and in June and July this year.

Meetings between police and Tesco staff were held after the first two incidents. Following the second sale, the company was issued with a final warning.

Police have now asked West Oxfordshire District Council to consider imposing a short licence suspension to allow for staff training.

Tesco said it takes its responsibilities seriously and was very disappointed to learn of the failure. It is investigating the matter and will conduct staff training.

The store first failed the police tests on November 24, when a 14-year-old was able to purchase a bottle of wine.

A meeting was held between police and Tesco in January where staff training and procedures were discussed, police said.

But then, on June 7, a 16-year-old bought a £4.49 bottle of white wine from the store.

A meeting between police and Tesco’s operation’s manager, the store manager and a member of the company’s licence office was held at on June 26.

Training and staffing issues were again discussed and a final warning letter was handed to the firm, police said.

But on July 6, a 16-year-old entered the store with undercover PCSOs and bought an £8.31 bottle of wine.

On this occasion, the teenager was asked for ID. Police said when the teenager said she did not have ID, the shop assistant asked a manager if it was all right to serve her and he replied: “No, she is okay.”

The store’s manager later told police he had trained staff on a regular and recent basis.

The store has at least seven A4 notices around the tills stating that all young people will be challenged to prove their age.

On all three occasions the member of staff that served the underage person was given an £80 fixed penalty notice by police.

In its application to district council, police said it appeared Tesco’s own training was “failing at the point of delivery at these premises”.

A Tesco spokesman said: “As a retailer of alcohol, we take our responsibilities very seriously.

“We have a strict Think 25 policy in place across all our stores and were very disappointed to learn of this failure. We are urgently investigating.”

The case will be heard by district council on September 11.