A SHIPMENT of fake designer children's shoes worth more than £2 million has been seized by officials at Felixstowe docks.

A SHIPMENT of fake designer children's shoes worth more than £2 million has been seized by officials at Felixstowe docks.

The cargo, which arrived at the port from China on 24 October, 2008 contained more than 20,000 pint-sized pairs of shoes stored in 1220 cartons.

Imitation Nike, Chanel and Louis Vuitton shoes were all included among the horde, which was discovered by UK Border Agency officers in a standard check.

Stephen Middleditch, of the UKBA, said: “If shoes like these are sold at prices that look too good to be true, they are usually not the bargain that they appear to be.

“They are often of very inferior quality and badly made. If bought for Christmas, they might only last as long as the festive decorations.

“The individuals who import these products are also frequently involved in other criminal activities, including the smuggling of drugs and counterfeit cigarettes.”

The shoes came with counterfeit designer labels ready to be attached for sale in the UK market. The street value of the cargo is estimated to be £2,170,333.

They are currently being stored in a secure warehouse at the docks, and will eventually be pulped and recycled.

No arrests have been made but enquiries are ongoing.