COUNTERFEIT jeans seized in Bolton are to be recycled for charity.

Bolton's trading standards officers currently have 9,000 pairs of jeans in storage.

As already reported, Bolton has been dubbed the "counterfeit capital" of the North-west.

Trading standards officers have also seized 2,000 fake compact discs and 30 machines which can be used for altering clothing.

A report which was due to be presented to environment and consumer sub-committee councillors later today recommends that suitable goods should be re-cycled.

The trading arm of a Staffordshire-based charity, Birth Defects Foundation, removes all "additions" which have made the jeans fakes, such as labels and studs.

All profits then go to charity.

Richard Lindley, principal trading standards officer, said disposal of seized goods can be a problem because of the danger that the goods might find their way back on the market.

In the past, incinerating jeans was the only safe way to make sure they were not re-sold.

But BDF Newlife, the trading arm of the Birth Defects Foundation, is now offering "a free, secure recyling service".

Cllr Bernard Ramsden, environment and consumer sub committee chairman, said: "We are trying to ensure that needy people can benefit from the activities of dishonest traders."

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