SHOPKEEPERS are losing £1,000-a-week to tobacco smuggling, according to a survey.

The Tobacco Alliance said one in four North-west retailers have considered closing as a result.

Three quarters of those surveyed felt the way to stop smuggling was to cut taxes imposed on tobacco products.

Manchester shopkeeper John Simpson said: "The Government needs to act - and act fast - to erase smuggling."

The survey found 26 per cent of retailers are considering closing their business, 88 per cent of retailers report a fall in tobacco sales due to smuggling, 25 per cent have cut staff due to profit loss, and 93 per cent of retailers feel the Government is not doing enough.