FIVE hundred bootleg DVDs - many of blockbuster films that have only just been released at the cinema - have been seized at a car boot sale.

And it was a tip off from a disgruntled punter who wasn't impressed by the playback quality of the dodgy discs that alerted police to the illegal trade.

Officers were called to a car boot sale on the border of Poole and Bournemouth and found a stall selling the unofficial DVDs for £10 each.

The police alerted Poole council's consumer protection team which confiscated 13 boxes containing around 500 of the discs from the event in Magna Road, Canford Magna, last Sunday.

"Police received a complaint from someone who had purchased a DVD. The person had checked the quality of the DVD," said Dean Burgess, of consumer protection.

"When the police attended the car boot sale they discovered approximately 500 DVDs, which included films such as Catwoman, I Robot and Thunder-birds, which have not yet been released officially on DVD, so they were clearly counterfeits."

Consumer protection officers then arrived and seized the products, which were breaching copyright rules.

Mr Burgess said illegal DVDs were a big problem nationally and added: "As far as we are concerned it's a very serious issue and connected with more serious crimes.

"It is a way for money launder-ers to pass money although there is no evidence yet that this was the case at Canford Magna."

Offenders can face a prison sentence or an unlimited fine.

Two men are currently being investigated by consumer protection officers in relation to the seizure of the DVDs.

First published: August 30