SUSPECTED counterfeit booze was seized from a Leigh off licence over fears for drinkers’ safety.

HM Revenue & Customs officers swooped on Jays supermarket, in London Road, and carried away 92 bottles of vodka and brandy.

It is believed the 78 litres of alcohol has been smuggled in from abroad and could be a health risk.

A batch of suspect vodka seized in Cardiff last year led to stomach upsets and it was feared people could be left with permanent liver damage.

There have even been reports about illegal batches of vodka causing blindness because the methanol content is too high.

Customs officers raided seven off licences across Leigh, but only one resulted in a seizure, which was believed to amount to £700 of tax evasion.

The alcohol seized in Leigh is now being tested to see if it contains methylated spirits or has been watered down.

Maddy Ratnett, a spokeswoman for Revenue and Customs, said: “If alcohol is from an illegal source you never know what’s in it.

“It could be meths or it could be just vinegar. You might open it and think that’s disgusting. It could be any clear liquid, and it could be industrial alcohol, which is fairly common.

“With cigarettes, people bring in seven or nine million in a container or in the back of somebody's vehicle.

“Alcohol’s a bit more difficult because it’s heavy. Usually it’s in containers or lorries from abroad. We don’t detect much that is made here.

“It’s just not worth buying it for the sake of saving a few quid. If you buy from a shop and somebody sells you a packet of cigarettes for £2.50 you’re going to think it’s a bargain. But if it’s too good to be true, it normally is.”

The manager of Jays supermarket, who would not be named, said he had bought the alcohol in good faith.

He said: “I bought it from an agent. They came and gave us a special offer. We buy from them because everybody tries to save money. It’s very hard to check because they can fool us.”

He said he was now waiting for a letter from Revenue and Customs before he sends his invoices off to them.

Anyone with information about the illegal sale of alcohol should call 0800 595000.