CAFÉ owners could face prosecution for illegal fruit machines which allow youngsters to win high cash jackpots.

Greenwich Council trading standards officers and police swooped on premises across the borough which had fruit machines offering cash prizes of £10 or more, after complaints from concerned parents. These machines can only be played by over-18s and by law they should only be found in pubs, licensed restaurants, amusement arcades, bingo halls and casinos.

As a result of warnings 11 cafes have replaced the machines with legal £8 jackpots, but five, who failed to comply with the law, have been reported for offences under the Gaming Act and are waiting summonses. Greenwich Council cabinet member for public services Councillor Angela Cornforth said: “The law makes it very clear children should not have access to high cash jackpot machines.”