POTENTIALLY dangerous faulty Christmas presents are being removed from circulation by trading standards officers across the county.

Gloucestershire County Council trading standards officers have seized a number of counterfeit items as part of a Christmas crackdown.

Officers seized products with a street value of £4,000 from a stall at a car boot sale, including fake Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana perfume, Superdry and Adidas clothing, football shirts and Nike trainers.

They have also taken counterfeit battery powered Pedi Pro pedicure appliances from an internet business based in Cirencester, are investigating an eBay user selling counterfeit clothing and 3,000 cosmetic products have been suspended from sales until safety testing has been carried out.

Counterfeit perfumes are untested and have unknown ingredients which could cause health problems and there have been several claims about the cosmetics which are being investigated.

The fake pedicure appliances, as well as being potentially unsafe, were being sold on the internet for a higher price than the genuine item.

Head of Gloucestershire trading standards Eddie Coventry said: “There is always a concern where we find fake electrical or battery powered items as they are not likely to have been tested against appropriate safety standards.

“Despite this, such items will typically be marked with the CE mark in an attempt to make them look genuine. Consumers can have no confidence that these fake products are safe.

“Likewise all cosmetic and beauty treatments must conform to prescribed standards and must not in any way mislead users about the results which can be achieved.”

Cabinet member for trading standards Cllr Will Windsor Clive said: “Criminals will use this time of year to attempt to sell fake products to people looking to buy Christmas presents for their friends and family.

“This work by our trading standards team is vital and I’m glad that we have been able to seize a number of potentially dangerous items in recent days. We will continue to stay vigilant in order to protect people in Gloucestershire.”

If anyone has concerns about products they have bought they should notify trading standards via the citizens advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.