TRADING standards officers are warning people planning to visit car boot sales over the Easter weekend to be on their guard.

They are concerned some items may not seem to be quite the bargain they appear to be, and could in fact prove to be dangerous.

Michael Welsh, principal trading standards officer with Hartlepool Borough Council, said: "Easter is the first main car-booting weekend of the year. We don't want to spoil people's fun, but it is important they are aware of the dangers posed by certain products which could injure and, in extreme cases, even kill.

"People should not buy second-hand goods that pose a potential safety hazard. For example, children's car seats or riding helmets may not comply with the latest safety standards.

"People should also be wary of electrical goods."

Mr Welsh said that because sellers are most often private individuals, buyers have little or no comeback - even if they can trace the seller.

He said: "If the seller is a regular trader, then goods, including electrical items, may have been offered for sale at various car boot sales, often in poor weather.

"This may have left them in an unsafe condition.

"Some sellers even have been known to pick up items from waste disposal sites and they know nothing about the goods they are offering for sale, other than someone wanted to dispose of them.

"My advice to the public visiting any car boot sale this holiday weekend is to think twice, it could be your family's safety that is at risk."