More than 1.7 million cans of beer and bottles of wine have been seized by customs officers in the largest alcohol bust in the Black Country.

Raids on five factory units at an industrial site in Wednesbury took place in the last two days. Around 900 pallets were discovered containing both beer and wine – enough to fill 35 articulated lorries.

It would have swindled the UK economy out of £800,000 in customs revenue.

The beer seized included cans of Carling, Stella Artois, Fosters and Grolsch as well as bottles of Echo Falls and Blossom Hill branded wine.

Officers believe it was being stored up to sell on in time for the Christmas rush.

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