THE owner of one of the world's leading fashion brands has written a personal note of thanks to trading standards bosses after they busted a £2.5million international fake clothes racket.

Bernard Lacoste, chief executive of the global sports fashion house, wrote to Blackburn with Darwen Council after hearing of its successful operation in November.

Council officers raided three addresses and a garage off Shear Brow, Blackburn, after a tip-off.

Around £160,000 worth of fake clothing was discovered at the back-street factories, with brands like Burberry, Hugo Boss, Stone Island, Armani and Rockport.

Another 50,000 fake labels were also seized, which trading standards officers believe could have helped create up to £2.5million worth of counterfeit designer garments.

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for citizens rights, said 20,000 labels were fake Lacoste.

Lacoste boxes, wingtags and bags -- all of which would be used to make fake garments look like the real thing -- were also found.

Genuine Lacoste polo shirts retail in designer clothes shops for around £50 to £70, while the brand's jumpers cost up to £110, meaning they alone could have lost up to £2million in lost sales had trading standards not seized the labels.

Coun Bateson, in her monthly presentation to the council's executive board on the work of her portfolio, said: "We have received a letter from Bernard Lacoste thanking us for our work.He praises trading standards for their commitment and vigilance in smashing this operation. It was an extensive operation, executed in a very professional manner."

The letter finished by saying "Without your officers' intervention, untold damages would have been caused to our goodwill and reputation in the United Kingdom."

She added: "It shows how seriously counterfeiting is taken by the industry. His thanks and our gratitude have been passed on to officers." Clothes seized included jeans, jackets, hats, scarves and tops, believed to be destined to be sold in pubs and car boot sales.

They were described by trading standards chief officer Chris Allen as 'pretty good copies.'

Three men were arrested by police, who joined in the raid with Trading Standards, and are now on bail pending further inquiries.

Trading Standards are continuing to compile evidence before bringing a case to court.

Coun Bateson added: "Dodgy goods are not only bad for the local economy but also for consumers as the merchandise is very often substandard and likely to fall apart after a few washes."