Retailers are being warned to step up their efforts to prevent underage sales this festive season, and beware of  more unusual age-restricted products which could see them fall foul of the law.

Some items, such as the spice nutmeg, should not be sold to under 18s. The classic Christmas cake ingredient can also act as a hallucinogen, so retailers cannot sell it to anyone below the age of 18 under the terms of the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985.

Retailers who supply an intoxicating substance to someone under 18 can face an unlimited fine and/or up to six months imprisonment, Tony Allen, managing director of training provider Under Age Sales warned.

Christmas crackers must also not be sold to anyone under the age of 12. Crackers are classified as category 1 fireworks under the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015.

Underage Sales is also urging all retailers to maintain rigid Challenge 25 policies in a bid to ensure that alcohol, tobacco and electronic cigarettes are not sold to under 18s.