A SERIOUS threat to the future of car boot sales has been removed.

Car boot sales along with charity shops have been granted an exemption from new European Union rules on the safety of goods sold in stores.

North West Labour Euro MP Gary Titley said: "The new regulations on product safety were first proposed for the very best of reasons, to reduce the risk of consumers coming to any harm.

"But to expect charity shops and car boot sales to supply full details of the origin of the goods they sell was always a non-starter. It simply beggared belief."

The amended regulation was approved in Strasbourg by 334 votes to 185.