A DARWEN taxi driver who used the back of his cab to sell designer clothes will have to explain his actions to a council licensing committee.

Blackburn magistrates heard Lee Martin's goods were all fakes and he was part of a bootleg industry that costs the British economy £9billion a year.

Martin, 33, of London Terrace, admitted 10 charges of having goods with a false trademark for sale or hire. He was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,540 costs.

The magistrates made an order for the forfeiture of the goods seized by trading standards officers.

They include 13 Lacoste sweaters, two Lacoste jackets, four pairs of Lacoste boxer shorts, four Henri Lloyd sweaters, two Henri Lloyd jackets, five FCUK sweaters, two Burberry scarves, a Burberry jumper, three pairs of Lacoste boots and five pairs of Rockport boots. A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said: "This matter will be referred to a licensing sub-committee so that Mr Martin is given the opportunity to explain his actions before a final decision is made."

Jemma Jones, prosecuting, said a police officer saw Martin engaging in street trading from the boot of his car in Gillibrand Street at 10.40am on November 21. Three men were looking at goods.

Martin told the officer he was selling clothing he had bought in Spain. It was later established that some of the items had been bought from a business in Cheetham Hill.

"He maintained he did not know they were counterfeit," said Miss Jones. "He did admit selling the items for a profit and admitted laying out £1,000 to fund the venture. Trade mark offences cost the UK economy around £9billion a year."

Daniel King, defending, said: "He is not interested in labels, he's not a fashion icon, but on occasions he has bought clothing cheap and people have asked if he could buy them some."

He said Martin had gone on holiday to Spain and bought many of the items.

"He used to carry them in the boot of his taxi and people got to know he was selling them. He has made very little and with the forfeiture of the items seized he will have lost a great deal."

Head of Trading Standards in Blackburn, Chris Allen, said: "This is another in a long list of successful prosecutions against those individuals who believe the sale of counterfeit goods is acceptable.

"This case also demonstrates that we are increasingly working in partnership with the police and will not hesitate to prosecute those who have a disregard for the law."