MORE than 40,000 counterfeit goods have been seized by trading standards officers in the last few weeks.

The haul was snatched from markets, car boot sales and industrial units across the North West.

The fake merchandise ranges from DVDs, VCDs, video cassettes and CDs to clothing, computer games, mobile phone covers and purses. Vodka, batteries, soap, teddy bears, tobacco and cigarettes have also been confiscated.

Several arrests have been made. Some dealers have already appeared in court, others have been given police bail and investigations are continuing in a number of cases which will lead to further arrests.

Councillor Stella Smith, Bury Council's executive member for environment and transport, said: "Counterfeiting costs jobs, it's as simple as that. Honest, local manufacturers and retailers and their employees need protection from these invidious criminals who contribute nothing to the local economy and often fund organised crime."

Peter Astley, Trading Standards North West executive member, added: "Counterfeiting of any description will not be tolerated. Anyone dealing in these goods is likely to be arrested and prosecuted. The general public need to be aware that counterfeit goods are cheap, shoddy imitations at best and, in the case of goods like vodka and batteries, can be downright dangerous."