Counterfeit sunglasses worth over £17,000 at retail value were recovered by Somerset County Council's trading standards department as part of a haul of fake goods worth around £200,000.
Trading standards officers intercepted the counterfeit items which included luxury brand sunglasses, handbags and clothing, after a local haulage company had become suspicious of a delivery it picked up from Exeter Airport which had been flown in from China. The consignment was on route to France where it was due to be split among market traders.
A spokesman for the council's trading standards department told Optician the counterfeit sunglasses included a number of designer brands such as Prada, Armani, Versace, Chanel and D&G.
'This is one of the largest hauls of sunglasses for us,' he said. 'Counterfeit sunglasses are generally a seasonal issue.'
The spokesman also added that the council would be interested in hearing from any frame supplier or any other company who would be willing to test the counterfeit sunglasses for UV values. Trading standards officers are keen to obtain this data which they want to use to highlight the dangers to eye health from wearing fake sunglasses to consumers.
If you can help, contact Lynda King/Gill McMahon on 01823 357263 or 01823 357261.