TRADING standards officers have issued a warning to people selling counterfeit goods.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's chief trading standards officer, Jeff Bell, said there was a flourishing black market in sham goods which he was determined to clamp down on.

He said: "Those involved are happy to supplement their income, or more likely their benefits, by selling on products that were probably made by illegal labour and financed by organised crime or even terrorists."

Mr Bell added: "We will continue to seize and detain any products we find in the counterfeit chain, along with any computer equipment involved.

"We will also continue, where appropriate, to bring those involved before the courts."