A Harrow market trader who sold fake designer handbags and jewellery has been fined £1,441 and told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Nigina Akram, 38, of Edgware held hundreds of fake designer goods at her stall which included well-known brands such as Burberry and Chanel.

Akram pleaded guilty to eight offences and given 100 hours of unpaid work to be completed in 12 months, and fined a total of £1441.00 at Willesden Magistrates Court.

When interviewed, she claimed it was a hobby of hers and that she was doing it to get back into work.

Ms Akram also blamed the people who sold her a box full of the items for £250 as she failed to check that the goods were genuine designer items.

Following a complaint Harrow Trading Standards visited the stall held at Harrow Market, Greenhill Way.

A test purchase confirmed the goods were fake, and during an inspection they seized 176 counterfeit items.

The investigation also revealed that she was carrying out the same business in Hammersmith and Fulham for which 150 items were seized.

Cllr Graham Henson, portfolio holder for environment, crime and community safety said the council will investigate and prosecute these crimes.

He said: "We want our markets and local high streets to be a vibrant place to shop and where traders operate legitimately.

"Every trader has a duty to sell customers genuine products and every customer has a right to know exactly what they are buying.

"Unfortunately there are some who feel it is ok to not only misleads shoppers to buying poor quality and sometimes dangerous products, but harms the reputation of other stall holders - this is totally unacceptable."