TRADING standards officers swooped on a car boot sale, seizing an estimated £20,000 worth of counterfeit goods.

Greenwich Council officers targeted the event at the Meridian Sports Club on Charlton Park Lane, Charlton, on July 14.

They confiscated nearly 1,000 branded polos, t-shirts and shirts, along with jeans, trousers, hats, caps, belts, sunglasses and jewellery, from seven different stalls.

Officers estimate that, if genuine, the goods would be worth around £80,000, but even as counterfeits their value would be near £20,000.

Greenwich Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Environment  Cllr Maureen O'Mara said: "This sends out a clear message to all those wishing to sell counterfeit goods in Greenwich - it will not be tolerated." 

Once the goods have been officially confirmed as counterfeit, further action can be undertaken against the sellers and fines of up to £5,000 imposed by magistrates.

Fair organisers say the sellers will be banned from from all future events.

For more information on counterfeit goods and reporting them visit royalgreenwich.gov.uk/fakegoods