Fake goods benefit homeless people on Teesside

Counterfeit and illegal goods are set to benefit homeless people on Teesside.

Trading standards officials at Redcar and Cleveland Council have confiscated what they describe as a "mountain" of items over the past few years.

The haul includes counterfeit film, music and games discs, as well as clothing and electrical equipment.

Any fake branding will be removed to ensure trademark laws are not breached, and the items will then be distributed by the His Church charity.

The pirated DVDs will be taken apart and the various components recycled.

Councillor Steve Goldswain, the council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "It is fantastic that these counterfeit items have been taken off our streets and even better that they can now be put to use helping good causes, rather than lining the pockets of criminals."

Richard Humphrey, from His Church, said: "This virtuous circle means trading standards organisations are both removing illegal products from the streets and helping vulnerable people in the community."