FAKE superhero costumes which, if sold at the prices of the genuine article, were worth more than £80,000 have been seized.

Today, West Yorkshire Trading Standards service, alongside the police and brand protection officers from Rubie’s Masquerade Co (UK) Ltd, executed a warrant at an eBay trader’s home address where 3,000 counterfeit and unsafe children’s costumes were found.

The address of the discovery has not been revealed.

The items were discovered ahead of World Book Day and could have been bought by parents.

Mike O’Connell, Global Head of Antipiracy at Rubie’s Masquerade, said “I am grateful to West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service and West Yorkshire Police for the action taken today.”

David Lodge, Head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service, said “We are delighted with the result of this operation. Some may think selling counterfeit goods is a harmless crime but it has shown to have an adverse effect on the UK economy.”