THOUSANDS of pairs of fake Nike trainers were seized at the Port of Tilbury.

The enormous shipment of around 12,000 sneakers was identified by an intelligence-led system which targets know suppliers of illegal goods.

The £600,000 haul was found in a 40 foot container on its way into the UK from Poland on Friday.

Thurrock Council's trading standards teamed up with Border Force UK to intercept the products. 

The council warned that such products "are not bargains, but imitations" which "are not produced to the same high standards" as the real thing.

Phil Smith, the council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: "This is another magnificent example of the council working with its partners for the benefit of the whole community.

"Ports Partnership working has seen some excellent results and the unique way our limited resources are utilised has proven that intelligence-led enforcement can prevent the supply of illegal and unsafe goods

"Counterfeit goods are of extremely low quality and in some cases counterfeit electric items have caused serious injury to consumers."

Thurrock Council’s five-strong trading standards import surveillance team look for goods that may be unsafe to the consumer and several consignments of unsafe goods have been stopped form entering the UK supply chain in recent months including electrical goods, children’s clothing and cosmetics.