A LORRY load of counterfeit 'designer' clothes with a street value of half a million pounds is bound for the Balkans - courtesy of St Helens Trading Standards Officers.

The clothes were set to be destroyed after being confiscated but officers managed to get permission to ship it overseas instead. And earlier this week, it set off for the war-torn states as part of the Merseyside Aid Convoy in vehicles donated by local haulier, John K. Phillips.

St Helens consumer protection officer, Ken Glover took time off to travel over with the goods, a journey he also made last year.

Before his departure, he said: "Some of the sights we saw were very distressing, especially those at the dilapidated institutes housing physically and mentally handicapped people. The clothes donation will release much-needed cash funds to help buy medicines and other vital life-saving material."

Councillor Alma Atherton, deputy chair of Housing and Environmental Services, added: "The council has supported the convoy for a number of years with donations of counterfeit clothing seized by our officers. Without this charity outlet, the clothing would be destroyed so it is particularly pleasing to see the fake goods going to such a worthy cause."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.