Rohni Vij, owner of Abbey Street Shopping Centre in Accrington, stocked pipes, grinders, and other items that could be used to prepare and consume cannabis alongside school uniforms.

"It’s a terrible example to set to young impressionable people coming in trying on their school uniforms," said Councillor Sean Serridge, Lancashire County Council’s ‘Champion for Young People.’

"It’s also not what parents want to see and have to explain to their children."

The shop also attracted the ire of the local constituency MP.

"I suspect the owners may not have considered this fully," said Greg Pope, MP for Hyndburn.

"I would urge them to have a re-think about what is appropriate in a school uniform shop."

But a local charity working with the homeless questioned whether there was a serious problem.

“We do deal with a lot of serious drug problems and I don’t think this would have any influence," said Dorothy McGregor of Maundy Relief.

"The shop are very generous when helping us outfit poorer families with school uniforms and I don’t think they would do anything immoral."

"I think they simply haven’t considered how people would react."

Vij has now returned all drug-related items to his suppliers.

"We didn't want to upset people and have sent the stock back to the supplier following complaints," he said.

"I am anti-drugs and don't like them."

"I have respected what other people have said about the items and I have removed them."

"I haven't done anything wrong or illegal but I don't want to upset my customers."

"If anyone has any problems I urge them to speak to me about it."

"We controlled who the items were sold to.

"If customers had come to me and told me I would have removed it."

The leader of the local council applauded Vij's actions.

"We have to congratulate them for being socially responsible," said Councillor Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Council.

"I understand businesses are trying to make a living but it is excellent to see he is being socially responsible."

"He probably hadn't thought much about it until it was highlighted to him."

"Well done to him."