TRADING Standards officers have seized more than 900 counterfeit items at a raid in East Lancashire.

The haul, worth an estimated £34,000, was made up of fake designer polo shirts, keyrings and wallets.

Officer’s from Lancashire County Council trading standards department carried out the raid in the early hours of Monday after a tip off the house was being used as a distribution centre.

The location of the house is being kept secret so not to prejudice further operations, but officers said it was between Accrington and Burnley.

Officers believe the goods were being sold via an online eBay shop in operation for almsot two years.

The raid follows a series of operations in Nelson, Haslingden and Oswaldtwsitle during the past two weeks.

Officers found fake vodka in independent shops in Haslingden, more than 350 packs of counterfeit cigarettes in Nelson and Colne and counterfeit GHD hair straighteners in Oswaldtwistle.

Coun Albert Atkinson, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Fake goods may be linked with serious crime and counterfeiters make a fortune while avoiding paying much-needed taxes.

“The success of these raids sends a clear message to those people operating illegally that such activity will not be tolerated in Lancashire.”

The traders face prosecution under the Trade Marks Act 1994, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Paul Noone, head of Lancashire’s Trading Standards Service, said: “Counterfeiting is often regarded as a victimless crime but in reality it has a serious financial impact on local businesses and the livelihood of their employees.”