Fire-risk hair straighteners, poisonous cigarettes and counterfeit computer games – welcome to the dangerous world of festive fakes.

Trading Standards in the Black Country today put on display imitation goods that have been seized from shops, markets and car boot sales in the run up to Christmas.

And they gave the warning: “If something appears too good to be true then it probably is.”

Checks on businesses by Trading Standards staff have uncovered a hoard of products they say are potentially dangerous.

Walsall Council’s assistant trading standards officer Samantha Barnett showed off goods that included an imitation Postman Pat inflatable chair, fake designer brand Evisu jeans and a fake Fred Perry jumper and even vodka.

Other items spotted on sale in the area at various outlets include Lyle & Scott and G-Star jeans.

The council has warned that one of this year’s top accessories, ghd hair straighteners are being copied in large quantities and shipped to the United Kingdom from the Far East.

The team is also concerned that faulty wiring on the fake straighteners could pose a risk to users.

Walsall Council’s principal trading standards officer Brian Jones said: “A set of genuine ghd straighteners for example normally retail at around £120 but counterfeit versions have been seen on sale at around the £75 mark, which is just enough to convince shoppers that they’re the real thing.

“We urge buyers to check the item thoroughly, obtain a receipt and to use exceptional caution when buying over the internet.”

Other confiscated goods to failed standard safety tests include religious emblems with faulty electrical parts, fake cigarettes with “excessive levels of tar” often sold at car boots and in private homes.

Also seized were Nintendo DS Lite games consoles with dangerous chargers, flammable children’s clothing, toys containing toxic materials and alcoholic drinks with “high levels of methanol that can be lethal”.