TRADING Standards officers swooped on a warehouse in Gloucestershire and found fake car badges and wheel caps worth almost £10,000.

They seized 859 counterfeit hood badges and wheel centres. Among the fake badges found were high-end brands such as VW, BMW, Land Rover, Alfa Romeo, Renault, Mercedes Benz, Audi and Mini.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member responsible for trading standards, said: “Selling counterfeit goods is a serious offence.

"The sale of fake goods takes trade away from legitimate business.

"It is important to ensure legitimate traders are protected and those who think they can make a quick buck are stopped straight away.

“If you feel tempted to sell counterfeit goods, I’d urge you to think twice. You may not know it, but you could be facing a criminal record that will affect the rest of your life.

"Those involved in selling counterfeit goods face a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.”

The fakes were found in an industrial unit on the outskirts of Gloucester.

If anyone has information they would like to pass on regarding the sale of counterfeit, or suspiciously cheap goods, they can report it via the national consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or via www. glos.tradingstandards.uk.