MORE than 100 bottles of suspected fake vodka have been seized from a store in Nelson.

Trading Standards and Customs officials raided Day Today, Reedyford Road, as part of an investigation into counterfeit cigarettes.

But Trading Standards bosses said they found four bottles of the fake vodka on display in the shop.

And another 17 cases were found in the storeroom, bringing the total to 109 bottles, bosses said.

Trading standards section manager Julie Waddington said tests had been conducted on the vodka at the Public Analyst's laboratories in Preston.

While it was found that there were no harmful substances in the vodka, it had been established that it was still a fake blend, she said.

"The particular thing about these bottles is that the do not have a stamp, containing the initials AGC, on the bottom of the bottles,"

All official Glen's products are manufactured by Allied Glass Containers and will have another etching, towards the bottom of the bottle, with the batch number C12173, she added.

Fake Glen's vodka has been discovered at locations across the country, including recent Lancashire seizures in Leigh, Bolton, Blackpool and Rochdale and the Foods Standard Agency issued an alert about possible counterfeiting in February.

People who suspect that they may have purchased the vodka from the Nelson store are being advised not to drink it and contact the Consumer Direct hotline on 0845 404 0506.

Customs officers said they also seized non-duty paid cigarettes and tobacco from two premises during the operation at Day Today.

No counterfeit tobacco products were found.

Chief Trading Standards Officer Jim Potts said: "Counterfeit goods have a real detrimental effect on the local economy, but not only that, the illegal manufacture of fake goods is not subject to the same rigorous safety standards that are applied to genuine product and as such they can pose a significant risk to the public.

"We would urge retailers and all those involved in the distribution chain to deal only with reputable suppliers and alert the authorities if they suspect they are being offered counterfeit goods."

No one from the shop was available for comment.