AN undercover raid on Bolton's illegal traders saw a £10,000 haul of fake goods -- including Harry Potter videos -- by trading standards officers.

Four counterfeit officers and two police officers seized hundreds of goods from two stalls on Lever Street market, Great Lever, on Sunday after a tip off from town retailers about the sale of phoney designer clothes and videos.

Two men were arrested and bailed while the goods are inspected. One had £500 confiscated.

Among the items seized were new cinema release films on videos and DVDs of "very poor quality," including Moulin Rouge and Ghosts of Mars, chart music CDs and many items of fake designer clothes ranging from "Nike" to "Versace".

Bolton Council Trading Standards officer Daryl Wilson said his team will be stepping up raids in the run up to Christmas when there is always a surge in the counterfeit market.

He warned consumers not to be tempted and line the pockets of the criminals.

"People think they are getting bargains but they aren't," he said.

"Stitching was poor on the clothes and the material very thin. The picture on the films was dark and grey."

"You cannot go after these people for a refund after a disappointment. They do not give receipts and there is a chance you will not see them again."

Counterfeiting costs the UK economy an estimated £9m a year and puts more than 4000 people out of work. It has links to international Crime rings but is supported by hundreds of thousands of consumers.

A hard-hitting Crimestoppers campaign was launched yesterday by Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson, which aims to raise awareness.

"We know that the public's perception of counterfeiting is often based on characters like 'Del Boy' or a loveable rogue selling cheap fakes from a battered suitcase," she said.

"But there are often proven links with serious organised crime and job losses."

Bogus traders can receive unlimited fines and up to ten years imprisonment. To contact Bolton trading standards ring 336856. -