SHOCKED bosses at a BT exchange have launched an internal investigation amid allegations that fake designerwear has been sold on the premises.

Trading Standards officers visited the BT Operator Centre in Jubilee Street, Blackburn, to investigate the claims.

The allegations involve staff selling fake designer jeans, shirts, sweatshirts and watches.

A BT employee, who did not want to be named, told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "This has been going on for around 18 months or more.

"Lots of people have bought the stuff and obviously a lot of money is being made.

"There are jumpers going for £15 to £20, jeans from £15 to £20 and it's all designer labels - Armani and Levi jeans, Ralph Lauren shirts and jumpers, Adidas watches.

"This will be the second Christmas for them - it's quite a good business to be in at this time of year."

The BT Operator Centre employs hundreds of people and deals with 999 emergency and 100 operator calls.

A BT spokesman said the investigation was into one person only.

A BT spokesman said: "Trading Standards officers visited the Blackburn Operator Centre as part of their investigations into a particular individual.

"We are co-operating fully and no goods were seized. The allegation has come as something of a shock.

"We are carrying out our own internal investigation and will take the appropriate action."

Trading Standards officers have been battling for years to clamp down on East Lancashire's fake designerwear industry - one of the largest and most lucrative in the country.

Chris Allen, Trading Standards area manager for East Lancashire, said: "There was a visit by an officer but no goods were found on sale at the time."

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