FAKE designer clothes with a value of £600,000 have been seized by trading standards officers.

The haul of 3,000 items, including counterfeit Prada, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace and football kits, were in a consignment of 60 boxes which were due to be delivered to an address in Chingford.

But the clothes were siezed by by Customs and Excise, who informed Waltham Forest Council.

Customs and Excise then released the consignment to its intended destination in Westwood Road, which was then raided by Trading Standards officers and police.

One person has been arrested and bailed.

Waltham Forest Council’s cabinet member for community safety, enforcement and protection, Cllr Afzal Akram, said: “It is clear these items were heading for the Christmas market and I’m delighted we’ve been able to intercept them before unwary shoppers purchased them.

“Selling counterfeits is criminal conduct. It is unfair competition and attacks the good reputation built up by legitimate companies.

"Traders are advised to buy from a reputable source, to check any goods and paperwork and make enquiries of their suppliers before accepting goods.

"If they are in any doubt about the authenticity of the products they can contact our trading standards team or the trade mark owners for advice.”

The raid took place on November 7.