A supermarket store has installed face recognition cameras to stop children buying alcohol and cigarettes.

It is thought to be the first time a UK retailer has used the technology to identify underage customers.

The scheme is being piloted at an undisclosed branch of Budgens in London, where cameras have been installed in each of three checkout lanes.

Charlie Willetts, managing director of Charton Ltd, which is supplying the software, said "a number'' of supermarkets and convenience stores were interested in using the technology to create a database of customers.

The cameras monitor customers as they approach the tills, transmitting information to a control centre in Worcester.

The customers' facial features are automatically scanned against a database of images of young people who have visited the store before.