TWENTY-THOUSAND fake camera cases worth an estimated total of half a million pounds have been seized from an address in Bowdon.

The cases, which are worth an estimated £500,000, were branded as Canon, Sony, Panasonic, Nikon, Pentax and Kodak.

Authorities were alerted to the property after camera manufacturer Canon noticed counterfit items were being sold online and conducted a number of test purchases.

They passed on their intelligence to Trading Standards, who organised a warrant to search the premises on June 22.

Other counterfeit items including camera lenses and fake designer goods were also found alongside computer equipment, which is thought to have been used to sell the items online.

A 40-year-old man was arrested at the address and has been bailed pending further investigations.

Executive councillor John Reilly said: "It is illegal to copy and pass off items baring a registered trade mark without permission and it is quite clear due to the quantity seized, that the products were copied in order to sell on to make a profit."

A spokesman from Canon Europe, who was present during the operation, said: "We have been impressed with the way Trafford Trading Standards have carried out this operation, with excellent organisation and a very positive outcome.

“It is ultimately the consumer that is impacted by counterfeit products. It is therefore a great result that this operation has seized a significant amount of counterfeit products which are now out of circulation."