BOLTON trading standards officers will spend the next few weeks checking thousands of CDs, films and games seized from one of the biggest counterfeit operations in the UK. Hundreds of master copies and blank discs were discovered during raids at six industrial units and homes in the town. The results of the tests will determine whether charges will be brought against the three men and a woman who were arrested.

during the raids.

They have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Trading standards officers will also be looking at the records found at the premises to see if there are any further parts of the company still in operation.

Where possible, the investigators will also try and return money to customers who have placed orders and are awaiting their copies.

As part of the operation, officers have closed down a post office box in Cheshire where people were asked to send their money.

The raids in conjunction with the Mechanical Copywright Protection Society were the result of a year long investigation including a three month intensive surveillance period.

Investigators estimate that the gang was making up to £7,000 a week profit from the sale of illegal CDs.

The fakes were sold by mail order through its own web site or at computer fairs.

Richard Lindley, Group Manager Trading Standards at Bolton, said: "Thousands of CDs were seized during the raids and we will now be looking at them more closely."