UK- ONE thousand five hundred videos have been seized in a raid on a Carlisle shop.

Peter Burns, owner of the Parade shop in William Street, is under investigation by Trading Standards officials and licensing officers from the city council.

Many of the videos seized in the swoop are suspected to be illegal because they were alleged to be unclassified. Others were rated as R18.

It is an offence for anyone to sell unclassified films, and R18 tapes can only be sold in licensed sex shops.

The News & Star understands the raid by Trading Standards and the licensing department on Tuesday, was launched following allegations the shop was trading without a licence. Sources say it would cost around £10,000 a year to obtain one.

Mr Burns, of Abbotsford Drive, Stanwix, was not arrested but was spoken to by licensing officers. It is understood he may face further questioning by Trading Standards and the licensing department at a later date. The manager of the Parade said they remain open for business as usual.