A SALES assistant was told he would have his "lights punched out" after he refused to sell a customer cigarettes.

The incident is just one of several encounters of intimidation and swearing in the past two weeks at Thames News, in the Thamesgate Shopping Centre, in New Road, Gravesend.

The owner, who does not want to be named, believes there has been an increase in abusive behaviour from customers since the law for selling tobacco changed on October 1.

The 49-year-old, who took over the business six weeks ago, has encountered problems when asking customers for identification as it is now illegal for tobacco products to be sold to anyone under the age of 18.

For more information about the change in the law visit www.tobaccoagechange.co.uk.