TRADING Standards bosses are warning people not to buy dodgy goods at car boot sales.

As the summer approaches car boot sales are getting into full swing across South Essex.

But officers at Essex County Council's trading standards have warned the sales are regularly targeted by Del Boy types looking to sell fake gear including designer clothing, jewellery, perfume, cosmetics and DVDs.

Roger Walters, Essex County Council's member for trading standards, said: "Don't be fooled by counterfeit goods.

"The price may seem too good to be true, but you are more than likely to be left with a poor quality copy, which could be dangerous.

"Counterfeiting is a serious offence so don't give your cash to criminals."

In April 2006, trading standards officers caught Irvan Hou, 45, selling 138 counterfeit DVDs, including pornography, at a boot fair near Sadlers Farm, Benfleet.

Hou, from Kent, was charged with four counts of selling counterfeit goods and jailed for a year.