Christmas shoppers heading from the Fens to Peterborough are being warned against cheap perfumes being sold by young people in the city.

Vastly reduced aftershave and perfume, including Chanel, Hugo Boss and DKNY are being sold which have a high methanol content.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards say unlicensed street traders are operating illegally in the city and have so far seized 500 bottles of counterfeit designer fragrance in eight weeks.

Rob Edmunds, trading standards officer, said: “Despite a number of seizures in the city, we’re concerned these unlicensed street traders could return to capitalise on the Christmas shopping period.

“We’re urging members of the public to be aware of sellers offering designer fragrances at too good to be true prices.”

The items are usually produced from a plastic bag or coat pocket and while at first glance they look genuine, all examples have been confirmed as counterfeit.

Previously tested counterfeit aftershaves and perfumes have been found to contain excessive amounts of methanol amongst other ingredients which they say can cause skin conditions like rashes and reactions, especially those with sensitive skin or dermatitis.

It also makes the perfume more flammable, officers warn.

Enforcement action will be taken against anybody found selling counterfeit perfume and the goods will be destroyed.