A Merseyside council is warning about a hazardous batch of counterfeit vodka known to be circulating in the area.

Tests of the counterfeit Chekov brand vodka have found the product 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 spirit 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.

A subsequent search of an address in Halton found further supplies of counterfeit alcohol.

It is thought the product has been sold in the Halton and Chester areas but initial investigations suggest the product could also be in circulation throughout the North West.

A Trading Standards spokesman 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 license or shop”.

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