South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Councils Trading Standards Service threw open its doors to pupils from local schools to give them an insight into the wide range of work carried out by the Service.

Pupils from schools across South Ayrshire visited the Trading Standards offices in Ayr where they were taken round a number of interactive displays illustrating the work carried out, everything from consumer advice to covert operations.

The displays included one that focussed on age-restricted products such as fireworks, cigarettes and butane gas. Eager volunteers were fitted with covert cameras and asked to film schoolmates attempting to buy age-restricted goods in a mocked up shop. This was used as an introduction for discussions on the law regarding age restricted products and the merits of the Council sponsored Young Scot proof of age scheme.

At another display a mock “Young Consumer of the Year” competition was held. Volunteers were sat in front of buzzers and asked questions on consumer related topics. The winners of this quick fire quiz were awarded DVDs donated by The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).

The remaining displays covered topics including Animal Health and Welfare, scams and doorstep selling, fake goods, money advice, weights and measures and product safety.

Throughout the whole event pupils were asked to complete a quiz on key consumer issues. The winner of this quiz was Cheryl Gibson from Ayr Academy who was presented with Playstation games donated by The Entertainment and Leisure Publishers Association (ELSPA).

Councillor Peter Convery who has a special responsibility for Trading Standards commented, “This event was a great opportunity for young people to obtain a flavour of the wide range of work carried out by Trading Standards staff. Showing pupils how to prevent falling into debt and spot consumer scams arms them with the skills to avoid these problems in later life. Other presentations outlining their consumer rights and the law in respect of age restricted products are also highly relevant for young people.”