BOTTLES of vodka contaminated with methanol could be on sale in East Lancashire, consumer watchdogs warned today.

A nationwide alert has been sent out by the Food Standards Agency about two brands of vodka -- S. Petersbourg and St. Petersburg. S. Petersbourg has a white front label bearing the information ' S. Petersbourg in black lettering, Vodka in red lettering and 70cl e 37.5% Vol'. The label also bears a gold crown with crossed swords and two red lions at the top and a gold image of buildings at the bottom.

The St. Petersburg brand found so far has been in one litre bottles. Labelling is identical to the S.Petersbourg bottles.

Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards Officers are asking anyone who sees these brands of vodka on sale to contact them on 0845 600 1352.

A spokesman said: "Methanol has a poisonous effect on the body with symptoms that include severe abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision and can lead to blindness, coma and breathing difficulties.

"The symptoms can be delayed for several hours so if anyone is concerned that they may have drunk any of this vodka they need to contact the medical services as soon as possible."