WARNINGS have been issued by Trading Standards to Burnham and Highbridge people prepared to buy or sell fake goods.

This year officers will be able to take even tougher action against traders peddling counterfeit products and will be visiting more sales and markets more often.

Last year over £250,000 of fake items were seized, including bogus copies of designer clothing and poor quality illegal DVDs and CDs, and 2007 will see trading standards work closely with the police to stamp out the problem.

Manager Howard Burnett said: "We would like visitors to car boot sales and markets to keep their eyes open and think before they buy, as deals that seem too good to be true usually are.

"Anyone spotting suspected counterfeit goods for sale, either at the markets or over the internet, should call Consumer Direct on 08454-040506."