The sale of puppies under eight weeks old is to be made illegal under plans to crack down on so-called backstreet breeders and puppy farms.

Anyone breeding and selling three or more litters of puppies a year will have to apply for a formal licence under tougher rules announced by Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom.

Smaller breeders as well as commercial breeders will have to meet a "strict welfare criteria" and those who sell pets on the internet will be subject to the same licensing regulations.