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During the school summer holidays spot checks are being carried out on known and likely child employers who flout the law.

It is illegal to employ any children under the age of 13, and special permits are required for those between 13 and school leaving age.

The extent of the problem nationally was highlighted earlier this year in a Trade Union Congress (TUC) report.

Legal holiday work for children over 13 includes jobs in shops and hotels which are strictly regulated and monitored through the permit system and newspaper delivery.

Applying for work permits costs nothing and ensures that children are legally and safely employed and insured if they have an accident while working.

Employers who fail to register child workers face fines of up to ?1000 or three months in prison and possibly both.

Manchester's education chief, Councillor Bernard Stone, said: "It is a scandal that in this day and age there are a few unscrupulous employers who exploit children by employing them illegally - often putting their safety at risk.

"We are determined to stamp out such practices and the message is clear: when we discover that the law has been broken we will prosecute".