A MAJOR war has been launched against the bootleggers who cost every East Lancashire pub £3,225 in lost sales each year.

The new Labour Government has pledged to act urgently to strengthen the customs operation and carry out a comprehensive study of legal and illegal cross-Channel shopping.

The excise service is already enlisting 25 per cent more verification officers - the "foot soldiers" who chase, stop and confiscate hundreds of vans loaded with contraband each year.

And, for the first time since the single market became operational in 1993, customs and excise has built up dossiers of chief offenders.

More than 1,300 crossings a week are made for cheap booze from the continent which floods the local market and threatens the livelihoods of landlords and brewers.

Lancashire is in the top ten destinations for bootleg beer and wine carrying vans along with Manchester, London and Newcastle.

The North West Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association had warned that the problem would not go away unless tough action was taken.

It said it was aware of North West landlords "doing deals" with bootleggers with some tempted by not having to pay VAT or putting it through their books.

Latest figures show the detection of drinks and tobacco with a revenue of £2.3 million is up 28 per cent on last year.

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