As people prepare to celebrate the New Year, Surrey County Council is urging residents to be wary of counterfeit bottles of spirits and champagne which have been found on sale throughout the county.

Counterfeit bottles of Glen's vodka and Spar brand Imperial vodka have been found on sale in several retail outlets in Surrey which contain higher levels of methanol than the authentic brands.

Authentic Glen's vodka has a small 'AGC' logo etched on the bottom of the bottle, and authentic Spar brand Imperial vodka has a code printed on the neck of each bottle.

Trading Standards officers have also found bottles of Raymond Vadim champagne that actually contain cheap Italian wine. Other counterfeit champagne brands include Duplessis Mornay, Henry Flaubert, Charles Debussy, Pierre Plantard, Paul Gilbert and Henry Guillaume.

Peter Denard, Surrey's Head of Trading Standards, said: "Counterfeit spirits can be a consumer health hazard. Methanol is usually found in vodka but at low levels. At higher levels, it can cause nausea, vomiting and in extreme cases can lead to blindness.

"We are concerned that this counterfeit vodka is in circulation and urge anyone who may have drunk it to seek immediate medical advice."

Anyone with concerns about the sale of counterfeit spirits can contact trading standards on 01372 371799.