Suspected fake designer goods were seized in a series of raids.

Three raids by Barnet Council's trading standards team on shops in Golders Green, North Finchley and a home in London, revealed a treasure trove of suspected fake high-end merchandise.

The teams collected 130 evidence bags' worth of goods, which included handbags sporting Chanel, Prada and Louis Vuitton labels.

Cllr Dean Cohen, chairman of Barnet Council’s environment committee, said: "Christmas is just the time that shoppers will be out looking to buy designer goods such as these to give as gifts to friends and family, and it’s very important that consumers are able to have confidence in what they are buying.

"Counterfeit products are generally of an inferior quality and, in the case of electrical goods, could be dangerous.

"I would encourage people to think carefully before handing over their money. If a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is."

The items will now be individually examined to confirm whether the goods are counterfeit or genuine.

The operation was coordinated with support from the police and a specialist brand expert.