TRADING standards chiefs are warning about gangs selling "rings with no bling" in Blackburn.

One jewellery store boss said her shop had been targeted at least half a dozen times in the past two weeks.

The latest incident happened on Friday when two women walked into Baileys in Northgate and tried to sell fake rings.

Owner Ann-Marie Carter, 43, who runs the business with husband Eric, said: "We are experts so we were fortunate enough to spot that the rings were fakes.

"The jewellery looked good but it was actually worthless. However, we later found out that after we'd told the women they were fake that they'd gone to the Gold Store and sold them there."

Andrea Greaves, manageress of the Gold Store in the Mall, said she paid just over £100 for two "fake" gold rings.

She said: "The women also had two gold chains but I gave them back straight away as they didn't feel right.

"The rings looked genuine and had the 750 hallmark inside the ring which, means it's 18 carat.

"Shortly afterwards we found out that they had been to Baileys and tried to sell them there but they had refused to buy anything.

"They came back on Saturday and had four more rings and two gold chains.

"Security were contacted and they looked genuinely shocked and said they had bought them in good faith from an Asian man wearing a black leather jacket.

"They gave us the money back and we kept the other four rings.

"We gave them the chains back as they said they wanted to give them to their sons as gifts. It could well be that they have fallen victim as well."

Sgt Rachel Baines said police were aware of a number of incidents recently.

She added: "I urge people not to buy any goods, jewellery or otherwise, from people on the street unless that person is a reputable street trader with identification."

Anyone with info-rmation should contact police on 01254 353576 or Trading Standards on 01254 585585.