Pet charities given seized towels

The towels will line the pens of animals at rescue centres

Towels with counterfeit labels seized by trading standards officers in Essex have been donated to animal sanctuaries.

The 2,000 towels bearing trademarks including Next, Ralph Lauren, Chanel and Versace were being sold at North Weald market, near Harlow.

Essex County Council said officers gave up their own time to cut out the labels before giving the towels to charities.

Two traders were banned from selling at the market, the council added.

The towels will be used to line the pens of animals at rescue centres.

Tracey Chapman, cabinet member for waste and recycling, praised the work of trading standards officer Peter Coates and his team.

"This was a very thoughtful thing to do and the towels will come in very handy for lots of animal charities with winter around the corner."