ONE of the biggest counterfeit operations of CDs, films and games in the UK -- which would have cost the music industry up to £5m a year -- has been smashed in Bolton.

Hundreds of master copies of music CDs, DVDs and computer games were seized, along with thousands of blank discs waiting to be used.

The highly sophisticated operation was foiled after raids took place at six industrial units and several homes in Bolton.

Three men and a woman were arrested as part of the joint anti-piracy investigation by Bolton trading standards and the Mechanical Copywright Protection Society.

The investigators were assisted by officers from Greater Manchester Police.

The fakes had been sold by mail order through its own web site, where customers could order whatever they wanted, or at computer fairs across the North-west.

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

Two of the ring leaders drove top-of-the-range sports cars and had expensive household tastes in furnishings and electrical equipment, trading standards investigators have revealed.

Illegal copying is on the increase because of cheap CD re-writers which can be bought for as little as £200.

The gang used the re-writer to download music CDs onto blank discs.

The counterfeit CDs covered a wide range of musical tastes, from old classics to recent chart toppers. DVDs featuring single and multiple films, PC applications and games for the PC, Playstation 2 and XBox were also seized.

Although the gang was busy all year round, the run-up to Christmas would have been one of their most hectic -- and profitable -- periods.

The arrests in Bolton were the result of a year-long investigation, including three months of intensive surveillance.

Alan Doodson, assistant director of environmental services at Bolton Council, said: "The evidence gathered shows this was a large-scale operation in the production and sale of counterfeit music CDs, films and computer games.

"These activities are damaging to both our national and local economy. The longer they carry on, the more damaging they become to the people employed in producing the original legitimate goods and our local shops who sell those goods."

Nick Kounoupias of the MCPS Anti-Piracy Unit, said: "This was a sophisticated and well-organised counterfeiting operation that could have cost the music industry up to £5m a year.

"The main protagonists had gone to great lengths to hide their alleged activities, weaving a complicated web of accommodation and pick-up addresses.

"Bolton Trading Standards and our own MCPS Anti-Piracy Unit officers deserve specific praise for their tenacity."

The four arrested have been released on police bail while the investigation continues. In June, trading standards officers raided five homes in Bolton and seized thousands of pounds worth of counterfeiting equipment in a separate operation.

Anyone with information about counterfeiting can anonymously contact The MCPS Anti-Piracy Unit on 020 7306 4053, Bolton Trading Standards on 01204 336586 or Crimestoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.