Bogus top-brand batteries have seeped into Luton stores ahead of the Christmas shopping charge, Town Hall has warned.

Packets of fake Duracells have been seized throughout town and Luton Borough Council's trading standards said the impostors could be harmful.

The dodgy batteries, only AA and AAA, are said to perform poorly and may leak, ruining the product they are intended to power and causing acid burns to the skin.

Councillor Joan Bailey, executive member for trading standards, said council officers found 240 packs (636 batteries) in 10 of the 28 shops they visited.
"The counterfeits are relatively easy to spot. The packaging is poorly stuck together and comes apart easily," she said.

"The genuine product uses grey/brown recyclable card whereas the fakes have white card, often with poor printing.

"We advise anyone who believes they may have bought counterfeit Duracell batteries to return them to the place where they bought them for a refund."

The council said all batteries seized had been from independent shops where businesses had bought from casual street hawkers, rarely accompanied by paperwork.

Retailers have been asked to remove fakes from sale immediately and the local authority will take legal action against anyone found selling them in Luton.
Traders are advised to call 01582 547262 of they have the phoney Duracells and trading standards will collect them.