Bottles of 'lethal' vodka seized

More than 100 bottles of potentially lethal fake vodka have been seized from a shop in Lancashire.

Trading standards and customs officials were involved in the operation at a shop in Nelson, after complaints by customers about counterfeit cigarettes.

They seized 109 bottles of a fake version of Glen's vodka, which was being sold next to genuine vodka.

Tests revealed the bottles had excessive levels of methanol, which can cause or blindness or even death.

Customs officers seized illegal cigarettes and tobacco from two premises during the operation.

Lancashire's chief trading standards officer Jim Potts said: "Counterfeit goods have a detrimental effect on the local economy.

"But not only that, the illegal manufacture of fake goods is not subject to the same rigorous safety standards that are applied to genuine product and as such they can pose a significant risk to the public."