HUNDREDS of fake DVDs and CDs have been seized following a co-ordinated operation by trading standards officials and police.

They swooped on the huge Sunday morning car boot sale at Rufforth, near York, and their haul was taken from five traders.

Many of the titles were films recently released in the cinemas, including Kill Bill Vol 2, Shaun of the Dead, Taking Lives and The Cat in the Hat. The discs were selling at between £3 and £8.

Trading standards officer Matthew Boxall said: "Counterfeit goods are usually of a far inferior quality to the genuine article, even if they do work. Sales harm the business of genuine traders in the city.

"We take the sale of counterfeit goods very seriously. It certainly should not be viewed as an easy way to earn a few pounds.

"It has been linked to serious organised crime, such as drugs and money laundering, although there is no evidence of such a link in these cases."

The swoop took place more than a week ago, but details have only just been released.

The trading standards team is planning more raids at car boot sales later in the year. Investigations into the five sellers from the recent raid are continuing.