Traders and customers are being urged to be extra vigilant after the discovery of counterfeit Imperial Vodka in shops in Northumberland and London.

The bottles are believed to contain high levels of methanol, which is harmful if drunk in sufficient quantities.

Investigations by South Tyneside Council's environmental health department have not yet identified the product on sale in the borough, but consumers are being warned to be vigilant.

Coun Michael Clare, lead member for the environment, housing and transport, said: "There is no problem with Imperial Vodka sold by Spar shops.

"But consumers finding this Spar product on sale elsewhere should alert our environmental health service.

"Methanol is normally found in vodka at very low levels, but at high levels can cause poisoning, which can result in blindness.

"We would remind the public and traders not to purchase goods other than from reputable traders, to be on the look-out for counterfeit bottles of this particular brand of 'vodka', and to notify the council if they have any concerns."

Imperial Vodka sold legitimately through Spar stores has the reference 700ml66mm, followed by two symbols, and then the numbers 8809.

The counterfeit vodka smells like nail varnish (acetone) and has the code QI:1445c, and a smudged inkjet reference number that looks like 102234 04/08/02.

Anyone coming across Imperial Vodka that is not being sold through a Spar outlet should call the council's environmental health service on
427 1717.