A £30,000 haul of counterfeit videos, DVDs, CDs and PlayStation games was destroyed by a huge crushing machine in Southampton.

The goods had been seized from three Southampton counterfeiters by Southampton City Council Trading Standards and forfeited by magistrates before being destroyed.

The 800 fake items included hundreds of DVD versions of Lord of the Rings epic The Two Towers and some pornographic films.

All were put under the three-tonne, 15ft crusher at T and G Metals in Melbourne Street, Northam, Southampton.

A bulk of the goods had been discovered at a small shop in Shirley High Street. Officers seized the goods, before the shop closed and the owner fled.

During 2003 counterfeit traders in the UK made an estimated £10 billion.

Officers at Southampton Trading Standards warned shoppers to avoid goods with poor quality packaging and lower than usual prices.

David Sargeant at trading standards said: "This is a very important part of our work. When a customer buys counterfeit products they don't get the guarantee and supports that you get when buying a genuine product.

"There is also the financial loss nationally due to unpaid taxes and VAT.

"The work that culminates in destroying these goods is all part of assisting and protecting customers."

Councillor Jill Baston, Cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "This is a fitting end to work undertaken by our trading standards service.

"Whenever evidence comes to our attention the counterfeits are at work within Southampton, steps will be taken to stop their illegal trading activities, and if appropriate, bring those responsible before the courts."