A CAMPAIGN is set to clamp down on counterfeiters who are costing Bolton traders thousands of pounds.

It comes just months after the town was named as the North-West's capital for fake goods by councillors.

In recent years the BEN has highlighted a number of successful raids by Trading Standards officers which have uncovered sweatshops which have turned out hundreds of pairs of fake jeans.

And earlier this year, Bolton Crown Court heard how a former Methodist chapel in the town had been uncovered as a counterfeit jeans factory.

One man, who pleaded guilty to infringement of trade marks legislation, was ordered to do 200 hours community service.

Now crimefighting agencies are uniting to highlight the problem of counterfeiting in the region, amid claims it is costing the North-west economy £750 million and 1,000 jobs.

Under the new initiative, Crimestoppers has joined forces with the Sports Industries Federation, the Anti-Counterfeiting Group and Trading Standards in the fight against the fakes.

A Crimestoppers spokesman said: "The campaign aims to publicise fake goods, as a problem that should concern everybody.

"It also enables the public to fight back against the counterfeiters by calling the Crimestoppers anonymous freephone number to pass on information about the makers and sellers of fake goods."

Later this year, on dates to be confirmed, Bolton townsfolk are being urged to attend public information events which will detail the problem in and around the town.

And campaign organisers are urging residents who may know of counterfeit criminals to contact police about any potential scams.

In the past two years, 9,000 pairs of fake jeans have been seized, with the BEN telling how false Levi, Calvin Klein, Versace, Armani and Yves St Laurent jeans had been recovered.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on the free phone number 0800 555 111.