CONSUMER protection officers yesterday handed leaflets to customers at a discount electrical shop urging them not to go inside.

Trading standards officers gave the leaflets to people as they queued outside the unnamed shop, in Northgate, Darlington, for one of the twice-daily sales.

Advice on the leaflet included: "Be smart, don't go".

The Northern Echo has traced the traders to Birmingham, and Darlington Trading Standards is liaising with authorities elsewhere.

The shop opened despite police and trading standards officers visiting on Thursday, and amid growing speculation that it had ceased trading.

The Northern Echo revealed yesterday how watches valued by the shop at more than £400 were valued by a jeweller at about £15, and how customers who believed they were buying a games console, camcorder and camera for £60, only received a camera.

Trading standards said it could not close the shop immediately, and while investigations were ongoing, issuing warnings was the only option.

Nigel Green, manager of Darlington Trading Standards, said: "We have the option at the end of our investigation of prosecuting, but for now, we would strongly urge people not to go.

"We have come across instances of people being given refunds by these traders, so we recommend that they are asked for if people are not satisfied."

Anyone with complaints about the shop can contact trading standards on (01325) 388799.