A CAMPAIGN aiming to shed the region's reputation as one of the UK's worst areas for the bootleg DVD trade was launched yesterday.

A billboard poster has been put up next to St James' Park, Newcastle, urging members of the public not to buy pirate movies.

It follows a study that linked video piracy with organised crime.

David Hedley, of Newcastle Trading Standards, said: "DVD piracy is really a cottage industry in Newcastle.

"The culprits are manufacturing DVDs in their homes and then selling them, usually by mail order on the Internet.

"Pirate DVDs are also coming in through the airport, often as part of organised crime operations. Newcastle Trading Standards condemns any form of piracy and is committed to stamping out the problem," he said.

Hundreds of DVDs, including copies of the movie Troy, were recently discovered in a suitcase at Newcastle International Airport.

In June, police said they had smashed a major counterfeiting ring in Seaham, County Durham, after a six-month operation involving the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact).

Three people were arrested.

In May, one of the biggest organised piracy rings ever found in the UK was smashed in Stanley, County Durham.

Bootleg DVDs and CDs with a street value of more than £250,000 were recovered.

David Martin, director of the BPI's anti-piracy unit, said the North-East was one of the worst regions for the counterfeiting of music and films.

Links between DVD piracy and organised crime were recently highlighted in study by the Industry Trust for Intellectual Property Awareness Limited.

Anyone who is aware of DVD pirate activity is asked to report it anonymously by calling the campaign hotline on 0845 6034567, calling their local trading standards department, or visiting the website, www.piracy isacrime.com