Shoppers have been advised about their rights as part of National Consumer Week.

Visitors to The Parade were told about the value of buying genuine rather than counterfeit goods by members of Swindon Council’s commercial regulation team.

The council officers manned a stall dubbed Grotters Independent Traders on Monday, the first day of the action week.

The stall included examples of counterfeit items, such as toys, computer games and perfumes, which are regularly confiscated by the team.

Intervention officer Michael Voss said people might be tempted to buy counterfeit rather than genuine goods in a bid to save money during the economic downturn.

But he added: “If it seems too good to be true it normally is. You are much better off paying the money for real items so you have got some form of redress if the item does go wrong.”

Mr Voss said his team had come across counterfeit vodka containing antifreeze, televisions with exploding batteries and fake perfumes with unsavoury ingredients.

He said: “It is always quite shocking when you test the perfumes and some of them have got animal urine in them.”

Mr Voss and his colleagues also reminded shoppers about their rights with regard to the return of purchased items to shops and handed out leaflets.

Businesses in the town centre were given leaflets which offered details about a free “fair trading award” training scheme for staff.

Coun Colin Lovell, cabinet member for a safer and stronger borough, said: ”The aim of National Consumer Week is to help traders stay on the right side of consumer law, which not only protects the interests of their customers but also promotes good business.”

Shoppers who need advice about their rights should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.