TRADING standards officers in Blackpool are putting their weight behind a Crimestoppers campaign in the North West to crack down on counterfeiters.

Last year, product counterfeiting cost the regional economy around £750m and more than 1,000 jobs -- and also helped to fund further crime in the area.

The seafront in Blackpool is a particular black spot, where rogue traders will pedal their second-rate wares of football shirts, CDs, computer games and pirate videos to unsuspecting passers-by.

The campaign has been initiated by Crimestoppers and the Sports Industry Federation, and a range of events has been organised in Blackpool to drive home the message that fake goods create various problems, including crime, unemployment and lost business opportunities. Alan Smith, principal trading officer for Blackpool Trading Standards, said that on South Promenade tomorrow (August 31) there will be a hard-hitting publicity billboard poster, to highlight the links between counterfeiting and other offences, for example drug dealing.

He went on to say that on September 14, Blackpool shoppers will be able to "turn cop" for a day by trying out their detective skills when the department brings its "spot-the-fake" roadshow to Hounds Hill shopping centre.

Participants will be able to examine all sorts of fake and genuine goods, with the chance of winning prizes if they correctly identify which are which.

Alan said: "Blackpool attracts 17 million visitors a year and provides an ever-changing market place for the sale of counterfeit goods.

"People should be aware that it's not only clothing that is copied, but car parts, aircraft parts, medical apparatus and toys are also copied which could affect their own child's safety."

Alan said that during the last year the department has siezed goods with a street value in excess of £70,000 from more than 25 traders.

Anyone with any information about people making or selling fake goods can call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555111 -- all calls are anonymous and a reward may be offered.