DANGEROUS fake vodka which could put lives at risk has been discovered in Halton.

Residents are warned not to drink or buy the counterfeit Chekov brand vodka which contains very high levels of methanol.

Methanol is extremely poisonous and can cause blindness, seizure, organ failure and in extreme cases death.

The product is a counterfeit version of a genuine product sold by the brand owner Booker Wholesale.

The warning follows the seizure of a quantity of counterfeit alcohol and tobacco from a vehicle in Runcorn during a joint operation by the Police and Halton Trading Standards.

Further supplies of fake alcohol were found at another address in Halton.

It is thought the counterfeit vodka has been sold in Halton and Chester but initial investigations suggest the product could also be in circulation throughout the north west.

A spokesperson for Halton Trading Standards said: “The level of methanol in this counterfeit product gives us serious cause for concern. “We are warning the public not to purchase or consume this product as it poses a serious risk to public health.

“Genuine Chekov vodka has a black ink jet-printed lot mark on the red bottle cap and can be purchased in reputable shops and off licences.”

The counterfeit product does not contain the black lot mark on the cap and is likely to have been offered for sale through illegitimate sources.

Consumers should only purchase alcohol from a reputable supermarket, off licence or shop.

Anybody with information concerning the sale of counterfeit alcohol and tobacco can report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06.