A huge haul of fake DVDs worth thousands of pounds has been seized by Worcestershire trading standards officers at a car boot sale, it emerged today.

Around 15,000 discs were confiscated at the car boot on farmland in Hunnington, near Romsley, by trading standards officers from Worcestershire County Council.

The economic downturn was today being blamed for encouraging people to sell counterfeit goods as they try to make ends meet.

The county’s cabinet member for transport and safe environment, Councillor Derek Prodger, said: “The economic downturn does make it difficult for people and people may start looking to make money in a different sort of way.

“The main problem is that this is really hitting good local shopkeepers in the county.”

Trading standards inspectors and West Mercia Police raided a car boot on September 20 when they discovered thousands of illegal DVDs.

It led to further searches at addresses in Birmingham and at one property a home DVD copying factory was discovered.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of counterfeiting offences and released on bail pending further inquiries.